The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is disappointed with the position the town council of Happy Valley-Goose Bay has taken on public safety concerns and response efforts in recent weeks.

The Provincial Government has taken a prosocial response to the issues in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Homelessness is a complex issue and is not unique to Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Throughout Canada, there has been an increase in homelessness since the pandemic, which can be attributed to various underlying issues, including mental health and addictions, loss of employment and housing supply challenges. The issues identified and experienced in this region are also often deeply rooted in intergenerational trauma and mental health and addictions. While we recognize security and police play a role, we cannot police our way out of it.

The Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay has consistently asked for support, specifically related to funding for increased security. The Provincial Government has responded favourably to these requests. In fact, through the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, just over $110,000 was provided to the town in 2022. In addition, the Provincial Government, through the Department of Justice and Public Safety, has allocated almost $500,000 in Budget 2023 for contracted security services in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. When this funding allocation was communicated to the Mayor last week, we were surprised with the angered response.

Residents of Happy Valley-Goose Bay should be aware that this funding is available. If area residents believe this funding should be used for security services, we would encourage them to contact their town council. Our government remains committed to work with the town to ensure the funds are used to fulfill its request for increased security.

As it relates to the RCMP, the Minister of Justice and Public Safety and the Assistant Commissioner of the RCMP, travelled to Happy Valley-Goose Bay in November 2022 to discuss policing issues. Residents have expressed since that time that they were pleased with the increased visibility and RCMP patrols. We continue to encourage residents to report complaints directly to the RCMP for investigation. The RCMP is responsible for the enforcement of law, but not every offence is punishable with detention, particularly minor offences. The seriousness of the offence, the risk to public safety, and one’s criminal record are all contributing factors in determining whether an individual is incarcerated for a crime. As a Government, we maintain our position that correctional facilities are not an appropriate solution to help transiently homeless and homeless individuals.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, working with its Indigenous and community partners, continues to advance plans for an integrated health, housing and supportive services facility in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The preliminary design for the facility includes a 30-bed emergency shelter, 20 modest transitional housing bedrooms and 20 affordable supportive housing units, along with mental health and addictions and other wrap-around supports to improve housing stability and wellness. Budget 2023 has allocated over $30 million to build this facility on government land on Hamilton Road, but the town needs to support its construction to avoid further delays in putting in place a long-term solution to many of the issues facing the community.

The Provincial Government has been actively collaborating with community partners, Labrador-Grenfell Health, Indigenous Governments and Organizations and the RCMP. We remain committed to identifying short-term responses and long-term plans to meet the needs of all residents of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. We remain optimistic the town council will continue to participate in these discussions and recognize they have an essential role to play in putting solutions in place.

Sincerely:
Honourable John Hogan, KC
Minister of Justice and Public Safety

Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Labrador Affairs

Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation

Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs

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Learn more
Action Team Updates

Provincial Government Working with Community Partners to Support Vulnerable Populations and Public Safety

Provincial Government Establishes Acute Response Team

Provincial Government Supports Emergency Response in Labrador

Community Partners Continuing Supports for Homelessness in Happy Valley-Goose Bay

Federal and Provincial Governments Help Address Housing and Homelessness Needs in Happy Valley-Goose Bay

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BACKGROUNDER

A community effort representing government entities, the municipality, Indigenous Governments and Organizations, and community organizations are delivering a range of short- and long-term supports and assistance for vulnerable populations, and public safety measures, as follows:

Public Safety

• The Department of Justice and Public Safety allocated almost $500,000 in Budget 2023 for contracted security services in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
• RCMP B-Division is recruiting to add two new positions to the Happy Valley-Goose Bay detachment.
• The Minister of Justice and Public Safety was in Happy Valley-Goose Bay last November to meet with community leaders and residents about their concerns with public safety.
• The Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs provided over $110,000 to the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay in 2022 to enhance security services in the community.

Housing and Homelessness Supports

• The Action Team, established in 2021, is working through a coordinated approach and developing a longer-term response to provide housing, health and supportive services for vulnerable populations. The team identifies gaps in support and arranges appropriate services.
• This team has representation from Indigenous Governments and Organizations, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the RCMP, the provincial health authority, the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, the Innu Round Table Secretariat, Salvation Army, the Labrador Friendship Centre and other community stakeholders.
• Through the provision of housing units and an annual investment of approximately $3.6 million, the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation partners with the Nunatsiavut Government for the provision of wrap around supports to individuals with complex needs.
• More than $542,000 is also provided annually to operate the Housing Hub overnight shelter and additional shelter overflow at the Labrador Inn.
• A team of outreach workers, comprised of representation from Indigenous Governments and Organizations, community groups and organizations and various government agencies provide direct outreach support to vulnerable individuals.
• The Provincial Government is providing $100,000 to supplement outreach work in the community.
• The provincial health authority has an outreach social worker located in the Housing Hub that provides outreach services to individuals at the shelter and the Labrador Inn. This individual also works in Sheshatshiu one day a week.
• A Case Management Team works with individuals experiencing or at risk of being homeless and those who are transiently homeless. The team, comprised of Action Team members, collaborates and prioritizes supports and housing for vulnerable individuals in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
• The Provincial Government contributed $85,000 in 2022 to assist The Salvation Army, Newfoundland and Labrador Division, in the purchase of an Emergency Disaster Relief Vehicle in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and the construction of a garage to house the vehicle. The funding supplemented an investment for the emergency response project from the Federal Government.
• Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, in collaboration with the Federal Government, is providing $300,000 over three years to partner with the Nunatsiavut Government for a housing supports services manager position at the Housing Hub to support individuals experiencing homelessness to move out of shelter into more permanent housing.
• Federal and provincial funding was provided to the Labrador Friendship Centre for the development of a community-led needs assessment to help identify gaps in infrastructure or services required to support the current and longer-term housing needs in the area.
• Under the National Housing Strategy, the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation has awarded a $787,000 tender to construct four new social housing units in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
• Nurse practitioners and licensed practical nurses visit the Housing Hub on a weekly basis to meet immediate needs and support chronic disease management.
• Home supports are provided where there are unmet client needs related to personal care, medication management, behavioural support, household management, and respite.

Integrated Health, Housing and Supportive Services Facility

• The Minister of Labrador Affairs and the Minister Responsible for NL Housing met with members of the Labrador North Chamber of Commerce and residents in recent months to hear concerns and outline government’s plans for moving forward with the construction of an integrated health, housing and supportive services facility, based on guidance from the Action Team and a review of best practices.
• Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation is developing an integrated health, housing and supportive services facility that incorporates accommodations and services currently in place at the Housing Hub and the Labrador Inn, along with supportive living units, health services and other supportive services.
• This facility in Happy Valley-Goose Bay will be low barrier, will meet people where they are, will offer services through a harm reduction and trauma-informed approach, will be culturally appropriate and inclusive, and will continue to build on existing partnerships.
• Budget 2023 announced an allocation of more than $30 million to build this facility in collaboration with Indigenous and community partners. A start on the project is anticipated in 2023.

Mental Health Supports

• The Mobile Crisis Response team works in partnership with the RCMP to meet with clients in the community who may be experiencing a crisis.
• The provincial health authority provides supports and resources to increase access to health services for vulnerable populations. The authority participated in a needs analysis to identify opportunities to improve and increase nursing, mental health and addictions, and community supports to vulnerable populations.
• Mental health and addictions counsellors and social work staff visit the Housing Hub and Labrador Inn (group sessions/grief counselling available) on a weekly basis.