Funding Boosts Labrador Community Groups and Tourism Sector as Summer Season Gets Underway

June 28, 2023

Labrador’s stunning terrains and rugged beauty attracts year-round adventure seekers from across the globe. The region is also home to proud, tightknit communities which help make this unique place even more special. Our government’s investments in tourism and community development allow strong infrastructure and sustainable growth, while helping to keep Labrador as a popular travel destination.

Today, the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Labrador Affairs and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation, announced provincial investments totalling $347,335 in three projects. Yvonne Jones, Member of Parliament for Labrador, on behalf of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), announced total ACOA investments of $1,896,743 for 19 projects in the Labrador region.

These investments support businesses, community associations, and visitor attractions with upgraded programs, services, and facilities. The contributions will encourage increased use of a number of public spaces, including trailways, a public garden, skating rinks, and ski trails, and will help improve several community attractions.

Today’s announcement further demonstrates the commitment to support tourism development, community infrastructure, sustainable economic growth, and create new opportunities for rural businesses.

For the full list of projects, please see the backgrounder.

Quotes

“Our government is pleased to provide support for these three projects to support tourism and create new opportunities. Supporting the Labrador Hunting and Fishing Association, the Southern Labrador Development Association and the Birch Brook Nordic Ski Club, means vital funds will go into areas of Labrador that will further build the economy in the region and allow us to show those from outside the big land, what we have to offer.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Labrador Affairs and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation

“When we can share the unrivaled beauty of Atlantic Canada’s many landscapes with the world in a sustainable, memorable and welcoming way, we enhance the quality of life for those who proudly call these places home. Today’s investment will help bolster our tourism industry and create new opportunities that will benefit the entire region.’’
Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor
Minister of Official Languages and Minister Responsible for Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

“This funding is fantastic news for Labrador and its residents. We are extremely proud of what we have here and love sharing it with the world. Investment of this level allows us to keep sharing it for generations to come.”
Yvonne Jones, Member of Parliament for Labrador

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Backgrounder

Federal and Provincial Funding for Labrador Projects

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador invested $347,335 in three of the projects (as noted in the chart below).The Government of Canada invests more than $1,895,000 in Labrador to stimulate the local economy, create jobs, support the tourism sector, and improve the quality of life of Canadians.

CLIENT NAME	PROJECT	TOTAL	MEDIA CONTACT
Southern Labrador Development Association	Enhance the Labrador Pioneer Footpath destination trail.	$274,056 non-repayable (Additional $95,193 contributed by Government of NL)	Russell Hancock 709-931-2010 slda@mylabrador.ca
Labrador Hunting and Fishing Association	Undertake the second phase of a multi-phase initiative that will result in the construction of a marina in central Labrador.	$176,600 non-repayable (Additional $225,680 contributed by Government of NL)	Tony Chubbs 709-899-3449 chubbs@nf.sympatico.ca
Birch Brook Nordic Ski Club Inc.	Develop and enhance the Birch Brook Nordic Ski Club’s Programs and Services.	$86,011 non-repayable (Additional $26,462 contributed by Government of NL)	Alison Keats General Manager 709-899-3189 manager@birchbrook.ca
Battle Harbour Historic Trust Inc.	Implement facility infrastructure enhancements.	$18,106 non-repayable	Peter Bull 709-921-6325 information@battleharbour.com
Penney’s Pitstop Ltd.  Penney’s Suites	Enhance the product offering of an existing accommodations property.	$100,000 non-repayable	Charlene Penney 709-960-0499 penneyspitstop@outlook.com
Letto’s Enterprises Limited Northern Light Inn	Undertook enhancements to an existing accommodations operation.	$100,000 non-repayable	Brad Letto 709-931-2332 bradletto@hotmail.com
Atlantic Rivers Outfitting Company Inc.	Enhance the product offering of an existing outfitting operation.	$72,500 non-repayable	Chris Daley 709-758-1708 cdaly@atlanticrivers.com
Labrador Straits Regional Recreation Board Inc.	Replace the reefer system at the Labrador Straits Arena to improve energy efficiencies.	$212,850 non-repayable	Mitch Roberts 709-927-5361 mitchroberts15@gmail.com
Rigolet Inuit Community Government	Renovated an outdoor rink to provide more opportunities for residents to participate in recreational activities by installing a new concrete playing surface and sidewall boards.	$165,000 non-repayable	Paula Flowers 709-947-3382 Town.clerk@rigolet.ca
Churchill Falls (Labrador) Corporation Limited	Improve the Bowdoin Canyon hiking trail.	$93,750 non-repayable	Steve Power 709-925-3330 spowerjr@nlh.nl.ca
Forteau Fishermen’s Committee Inc.	Exterior renovations made to a multi-purpose community building.	$75,000 non-repayable	Andrew Saulter 709-931-2084 andrewsaulter@hotmail.com
Southern Labrador Development Association	Expand and improve access to a regional community garden in the Labrador Straits.	$57,600 non-repayable	Russell Hancock 709-931-2010 slda@mylabrador.ca
Makkovik Inuit Community Government	Developed an accessible community park with picnic tables and a gazebo to revitalize the community and provide an outdoor space.	$12,150 non-repayable	Doreen Winters 709-923-2221 townclerk@makkovik.ca
NunatuKavut Community Council	Marketed and hosted a variety of events from Cartwright to the Labrador Straits.	$200,000 non-repayable	Kelly Broomfield 709-280-5965 communications@nunatukavut.ca
Labrador North Chamber of Commerce Inc.	Developed self-guided tourism experiences in Central Labrador.	$105,525 non-repayable	Julianne Griffin 709-899-5095 ceo@chamberlabrador.com
Southern Labrador Development Association	Developed community craft and farmers markets in the Labrador Straits.	$52,000 non-repayable	Russell Hancock 709-931-2010 slda@mylabrador.ca
Labrador Straits Historical Development Corporation	Marketed and hosted events to amplify local artisans, performers, and craft producers.	$40,595 non-repayable	Doug Robbins 709-931-2103 doug@labradordata.ca
Destination Labrador Inc.	Promoted and scaled-up the annual Trapline Marathon event in Central Labrador.	$30,000 non-repayable	Randy Letto 709-897-5674 randy@destinationlabrador.com
Labrador Heritage Society	Enhanced the downtown area of North West River to support come home year activities.	$25,000 non-repayable	Ernest McLean 709-897-4935 eemclean71@gmail.com

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