The Provincial Government welcomes the expansion of federal biometrics collection services to Labrador, which will allow people living the region to more easily fulfill this important immigration requirement.
During a visit to St. John’s last week, Federal Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Lena Metlege Diab met with Minister Lin Paddock and announced that biometrics collection services are on track to become available in Happy Valley-Goose Bay beginning early in the new year.
Biometrics are fingerprints and a photograph. They are used to confirm an applicant’s identity and help assess their immigration application.
The addition of biometrics collection in Happy Valley-Goose Bay will provide a second location in Newfoundland and Labrador for individuals required to access the service. The decision to establish a collection site in Happy Valley-Goose Bay followed the identification of a geographic need in Newfoundland and Labrador to improve access to biometric collection services for residents in the region. Currently, biometrics services in the province are available in St. John’s, requiring individuals elsewhere in Newfoundland and Labrador to travel to provide their biometrics. The expansion follows advocacy by the Provincial Government for increased federal biometrics services and will significantly improve access for newcomers, workers, students and families in Labrador.
Biometrics services are delivered through designated Service Canada locations. Further information on biometrics requirements and collection is available through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
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“Providing biometrics services in Labrador will make an important immigration service more accessible to people living and working in the region. Reducing the need to travel to St. John’s for this service will help address a significant geographic barrier for newcomers, workers and families. We are pleased that our advocacy has helped expand service options and improve access to immigration services in our province.
Honourable Lin Paddock
Minister of Jobs, Growth and Rural Development
“Labrador’s distance from many government services can create challenges for residents, employers and newcomers alike. The addition of biometrics collection services in Happy Valley-Goose Bay is a practical improvement that will save individuals time and money while making immigration services more accessible. We welcome this investment and thank our federal partners for responding to the needs of Labrador communities and helping us attract and retain newcomers throughout the region.”
Honourable Lela Evans
Minister of Labrador Affairs
“With the establishment of biometrics collection services in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, residents of Labrador will soon be able to avoid unnecessary travel, saving them time and money. This comes at a time when we are improving accessibility across the country—including through expanded passport services in Atlantic Canada and the recent launch of online passport renewal. The Government of Canada will continue to work to make life more convenient by providing important services closer to the people who rely on them.”
Honourable Lena Metlege Diab
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
“This is an important step forward for Labrador. Bringing biometrics services to Happy Valley-Goose Bay means residents will no longer have to leave Labrador to access this essential service. It will save people time and money, reduce unnecessary travel, and make an important federal service more accessible to the people of Labrador.”
Philip Earle
Member of Parliament, Labrador
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