Statement from Happy Valley-Goose Bay Town Council on Muskrat Falls Project

The following statement was issued this afternoon on behalf of the Town Council of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL:

“The Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay understands the concerns expressed by the Town of Cartwright and the Nunatsiavut Government. Happy Valley-Goose Bay is Labrador’s largest Indigenous populated community. Our residents have expressed concerns to us and we have a responsibility to understand the issue. Our town has been faced with many impacts in relation to the Muskrat Falls Project and the potential contamination of Lake Melville is the most concerning public health and safety issuing facing our community.

Our community has been directly impacted by this development and yet, to date, we have been left out of any negotiations or workshops regarding the clearing of the reservoir and the water-monitoring program. As a municipality, we have been actively expressing our concerns to the Provincial Government and Nalcor regarding this project and will continue to express our desire to be involved in discussions moving forward. It is our hope that any future developments in this province will be more proactive and considerate of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians living adjacent to these projects.”

The above statement was issued by Naomi Sharpe, Public Relations and Special Events Manager of the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay.