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Rural Dialogue
Goose Bay, Labrador
DISCLAIMER
Meeting Particulars
Labrador Inn - ENGLISH
May 27, 1998
5:30 - 9:30 pm
Questions
1. A) Rural residents are concerned about the future of their communities.
What are the key strengths of your community as you look to the future?
1. B) What are the biggest challenges that you, your family and your community face as you look to the future?
2. What is preventing you and your community from overcoming these challenges?
3. What organizations, levels of government or others should be involved in working to overcoming these challenges?
4. What role do you see specifically for the federal government in working with you to overcome these challenges?
5. How can federal programs and services better support your community's needs (e.g., are there changes needed in the design, delivery, awareness or accessibility)?
6. What is the best way for the Federal Government to continue to hear the views of rural people on an ongoing basis (e.g., meetings, surveys, polls, newsletters, advisory groups, the Internet, etc.)?
7. Any other comments?
Findings
1. Rural residents are concerned about the future of their communities.
a) What are the key strengths of your community as you look to the future?
Labrador has a very multi-cultural population. From the aboriginal groups on the coast, the European influences in Central Labrador, the settler populations from the Island of Newfoundland and the French influences in Labrador west, the people are very varied. The history of the communities in Labrador has instilled a sense of versatility, commitment to the land and independence in the people. There is a determination and resilience that has enabled them to survive in a severe climate and extreme land. The participants felt it could be summed up in one word - "guts".
The uniqueness of Labrador has generated a love of the area and a loyalty to the communities and the region as a whole. When faced with adversity from outside, the residents of Labrador pull together. There is a strong commitment to maintain the communities and ensure their survival. These facts were all seen as strengths.
The land is very rich in natural beauty and is home to one of the most pristine environments in the world. It is very wealthy in natural resources with hydro-electric power development, huge mineral deposits both in Labrador West and in Voisey's Bay, and fishing in the North Atlantic particularly for shrimp. It is home to much wildlife and offers many opportunities for Tourism development in outdoor adventure, both soft and hard. The quality of life was felt to be extremely good for those who enjoyed living in nature rich environments. Goose Bay possesses one of the largest airports in the world. All of these factors generated a diverse economic base.
There are many young people in Labrador, and unlike the rest of the province, many of them stay in their communities. The average age in some of the Northern native communities is 18. A young population was seen to be a great strength that could be maintained because employment opportunities tended to be greater in some parts of Labrador than elsewhere in the province. It was noted that the Straits and parts of the South Coast did not share this strength.
The location of the region was seen as a strength by some participants. It was felt that its proximity to Newfoundland and Quebec was an asset and the connection with Mainland Canada, if developed with the necessary infrastructure, could provide opportunities.
Standards of education were noted to be high in Labrador and it was felt that there were many well educated people who lived in this rural area.
A strong volunteer sector was seen as a major strength and much economic and community development had occurred because of this advantage.
One of the greatest strengths noted was the distinctive nature of this region and the clear understanding of the people of their identity. The people of Labrador know they are different from the rest of Canada. This identity has been instilled due to the geography, the history, the culture, the background of the people and the physical climate. People of Labrador are proud to be different and distinct.
1. b) What are the biggest challenges that you, your family and your community face as you look to the future?
The greatest challenge currently faced by Labradorians was identified as the speed of development of their region. Economically, many things have been happening in the area in recent years. Voisey's Bay, a huge nickel deposit in Northern Labrador, is poised for development pending land claim negotiations and environmental assessments. A memorandum of understanding to develop the Lower Churchill River, is currently being negotiated between the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec. Some of the participants were concerned with the impact of the speed of the development of these mega-projects. (It was noted by one participant that she felt they weren't moving quickly enough.) The major development initiatives present the challenge of how local people can take advantage of opportunities that may be available. There is a lack of knowledge of how to capitalize on this economic prosperity.
Stemming from that challenge is a fear that Labradorians are not in control of what happens in their own region. It was felt the mega projects will potentially influence smaller development initiatives and jeopardize them. A big business approach to issues was viewed as causing concern.
Communications with the powers that influence the development and happenings in Labrador was felt to be a major challenge. The issue identified was ensuring that those who were in control, whether it be corporate or government, understand the needs of the Labrador people. Lip service and tokenism have characterized previous experiences. Development in the past has not contributed to the local economy (e.g. supplies are brought in from outside and locals are not hired in jobs for which they are qualified) and it was felt that this was happening again. The participants went so far as to express the feeling that they felt exploited by other parts of the province and Canada.
The communications system in Labrador was viewed as presenting challenges to be overcome. Internet access is costly or not available. A radio system that covers all of Labrador is non-existent. Different parts of the region have access to different radio stations but there isn't one radio station that reaches everyone.
The fact that Labradorians tend to be a non-confrontational people when dealing with people from outside their region was viewed as a challenge in light of the fact that external controls were developing the regions. The locals tended to blame each other and not coordinate their efforts to deal with outsiders.
In some areas of the region, notably the coastal areas, there is low self-esteem stemming from downturns in the fishery or rapid cultural changes. Economic concerns in these areas are causing people to worry about their own survival and that of their communities.
2. What is preventing you and your community from overcoming these challenges?
Travel costs in Labrador are a major barrier that impact on all aspect of the lives of the residents. For example, in order to obtain dental services in some areas, astronomical air fares are incurred. The cost of travel keeps people in remote, isolated areas and limits their awareness and exposure to other parts of the world. This compounds their difficulties in taking advantage of opportunities that are available in the development of Labrador.
Time involved in travel is another high cost of doing business in Labrador. A three hour meeting might require several days of travel and other down time because of distances and transportation.
Lack of infrastructure, in particular the Trans-Labrador Highway, impedes development.
Cost of living in Labrador is quite high due to the fact that all supplies have to be flown in during the winter months. This is a fall-out of the transportation barriers. It impacts on the cost of food and the availability of fresh food. (It was noted by one participant that basics such as milk and potatoes are astronomically high in price). This difficulty with accessing the basics was felt to be a major barrier to overcoming other challenges of the rural area.
Lack of input in decision making was seen as a barrier to overcoming the challenge of controlling the development of their own region. Local involvement was not effectively coordinated. More consultation is necessary and a lack of input is impacting on the local ability to develop effective strategies. Governments tend to divide and conquer by dealing with groups separately instead of using cross-sectional approaches. Each group has its own mandate and if there isn't communication there can be conflict in meeting these mandates. For example, the discussions on local land claims needs to be shared.
Ineffective use of technology was seen as a barrier. Health care systems are not using technology systems to the degree they could.
One-industry towns was seen as a barrier to the sustainable development of Labrador.
A lack of economic and development knowledge in the local people is a barrier that is holding back the people of the region. There is a lack of awareness on the part of the locals of what constitutes sustainable development.
3. What organizations, levels of government or others should be involved in working to overcoming these challenges?
All levels of government should become involved. All organizations have a role to play. They need to talk together. Specific organizations identified include: the combined councils, zonal boards, chambers of commerce, municipalities, MHA's and the MP.
It was felt to be the responsibility of government representatives and government agencies to bring together all levels and agencies.
4. What role do you see specifically for the federal government in working with you to overcome these challenges?
The federal government should work with the province and all other agencies. They should show some unity in dealing with the issues faced. The federal government may need to appoint a mediator to deal with some of the tensions that exist and find solutions.
Federal resources are necessary in the regions. Federal monies in Labrador need to be administered by Labradorians who understand the needs of the region. Flexibility is a major concern in government programming. Funding, made available, needs to be proportionate to the needs of the area. Innovative approaches are required. Consistency in federal service is necessary. Funding needs to be made available for travel since the cost of travel in Labrador is so high. Cross-representation in utilizing federal resources is required. The federal government needs to travel around the region to understand needs.
The Federal Government needs to protect the CBC.
Recognize that "remote" is a particular kind of rural situation that should be understood and respected.
5. How can federal programs and services better support your community's needs (e.g., are there changes needed in the design, delivery, awareness or accessibility)?
More communication between the people and government is necessary. Government (federal, provincial and municipal) needs to get its act together. This (Rural Dialogue) process seems to be on the right track but with the reservation that all Labrador was not represented. There should be more of this kind of session. Members of Parliament should be involved. Development associations need to be involved in consultations. Community Futures, though far from perfect was a good representative process and now with Zonal Boards, Newfoundland is ahead of other provinces. This process should be done with Zonal Boards as well.
More information needs to be provided in a manner that is understandable to the general public. Local groups should be utilized to get the message across.
There needs to be more awareness and advertising on programming that is available. Federal officials need to sometimes change their attitudes. Face-to-face dialogue needs to occur and information needs to be exchanged.
Resources are required to enable communication to occur. The response of the federal government needs to be tailored to the needs of the region. There is a requirement for resources to focus on research and development relative to the area. Opportunities created through economic development need to be protected and Labradorians need support in learning how to do that. Resources need to be used to prepare people to use new technology and inform of the advantages and availability of technology.
A Labrador agreement on communications is required.
Support for medical services is necessary. The Federal Government needs to stop taking unilateral decisions on transfer payments.
Basic infrastructure is required at the local levels and communities need to be dealt with separately.
The land needs to be preserved and federal resources should be geared to ensuring that happens.
Aboriginal Business Development Canada should locate an office in Labrador.
A resource person, who can interrupt local needs to decision makers, is required.
6. What is the best way for the Federal Government to continue to hear the views of rural people on an ongoing basis (e.g., meetings, surveys, polls, newsletters, advisory groups, the Internet, etc.)?
Dialogues of this nature are valuable but they need follow-up. The people seeking the input need to return to view the impact.
This process should continue through the zonal boards.
Face-to-face communication is preferred.
The Rural Secretariat should initiate a discussion with northern groups across the country.
Any other comments?
The participants requested that the distinctiveness of their region be reflected in the national report.
DISCLAIMER
All Rural Dialogue session reports on this Canadian Rural Partnership (CRP) web site are included for information purposes only. The views expressed in the Rural Dialogue session reports have not been edited and are those of one or many rural Canadians who attended the Rural Dialogue sessions.
The views expressed in the Rural Dialogue session reports do not necessarily represent the views of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada or any other department or agency of the Government of Canada. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada does not make any warranties, expressed or implied, as to the content and/or use of the Rural Dialogue session reports.
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