The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has listened to the concerns of residents of coastal Labrador about needing access to reliable Schedevac flights and has taken action by introducing a pilot program to help reduce delays and cancellations, improve patient flow and support more timely access to care.

Today, the Honourable Lela Evans, Minister of Labrador Affairs, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, and Minister of Health and Community Services, announced the pilot program which is already providing additional Schedevac flights for coastal Labrador. Minister Evans was joined by representatives of Indigenous Governments and Organizations, Medavie Health NL and NL Health Services.

The additional Schedevac flights, which started on June 20, are ensuring increased service capacity on Mondays and Saturdays, and will run through the end of September 2026.

The flights are delivered by Air Borealis, under contract by Medavie Health NL as part of the province’s overall paramedicine and medical transport system. NL Health Services will monitor and report on the use of the additional flights to support ongoing work by NL Health Services to improve scheduling and service delivery in the region.

Based on the learnings and experience of this pilot, NL Health Services will submit a proposal to the Department of Health and Community Services, for longer term changes supporting reliable and accessible Schedevac service.

Together with the commitments in Budget 2026, including a new MRI in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, redeveloping the Paddon Home to increase long-term care capacity, adding eight additional transitional beds at the Labrador Health Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and 20 transitional beds in partnership with the Nunatsiavut Government, these initiatives are making health care better for all of us.

Quotes
“As a government, we value our strong partnership with Indigenous partners which is essential for real and meaningful change and supporting healthier communities in Labrador. Our new government is listening to the health care challenges that our residents are facing, and the solutions that are coming directly from those with lived experience. As Minister of Health and Community Services and Minister of Labrador Affairs, improving access to health care for residents of coastal Labrador is a key priority for me. With the additional Schedevac flights, and our investment in transitional beds in partnership with the Nunatsiavut Government, we are happy to address some of the concerns of Labradorians and support improved health outcomes for the people in this region.”
Honourable Lela Evans
Minister of Labrador Affairs
Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
Minister of Health and Community Services

“In our isolated communities, we rely on schedevac services to access health care. This service not only supports increased access, it also reduces several stressors that come with medical travel, such as time off work and time away from family. This commitment of increased service demonstrates what can be accomplished when governments work together with mutual respect and understanding. It is encouraging to see these increased services that Labrador Inuit so desperately need and rightfully deserve.”
Roxanne Barbour
Minister of Health and Social Development
Nunatsiavut Government

“Medavie Health NL is committed to strengthening emergency medical transport services across the province through collaboration and continuous improvement. Working with the Provincial Government, NL Health Services, Indigenous partners, and our aviation partners at PAL and Air Borealis, we are taking important steps to enhance the reliability, responsiveness and patient experience of Schedevac services. The additional flights introduced in June have contributed to greater flexibility and capacity and have improved access to medical transportation for Labrador’s coastal communities.”
Nadine McEvoy
Chief Operating Officer, Medavie Health NL

“The Schedevac transportation service is a lifeline to care, connecting people to essential health services and supporting the health and well-being of communities. Today’s announcement is an important step toward improving equitable access to care. While adding capacity is part of the solution, we know lasting improvements come from understanding both the data and the lived experiences of the people who rely on these services. Through meaningful engagement with Indigenous governments and communities, patients, families, and our health-care system and aviation partners, we are redesigning Schedevac to improve the user experience and build a service that is more reliable, responsive, and person-centered.”
Cassie Chisholm
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Labrador-Grenfell Health – NL Health Services

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Learn more
Budget 2026

Building Stronger Communities Through Improved Access to Health Care in Labrador

Investments in Health and Well-Being for Residents of Labrador

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