Happy Valley-Goose Bay mayor says towns wants “written guarantees and clear timelines” before it can consider offering support for Churchill Falls project
The Town of Happy Valley–Goose Bay says it will not support hydro development at Gull Island and expansion at Churchill Falls, as well as planned wind energy developments, unless governments provide clear guarantees that address the major infrastructure, social, and environmental impacts these projects will create for the community.
As the regional hub and the municipality closest to these developments, no other community will experience these combined impacts as directly as Happy Valley–Goose Bay.
“Happy Valley–Goose Bay is at the heart of any future development on the Churchill River, and the Town must be recognized as a major stakeholder in this process,” said Mayor Bert Pomeroy. “Large‑scale projects cannot succeed if our community is left without the resources and capacity needed to support growth, protect residents, and plan for the future.”
The town has outlined essential requirements that must be in place before any development proceeds. These include expansion of the municipal water supply, long‑term waste‑management planning, improvements to water and sewer servicing, upgraded emergency‑response infrastructure — including a new fire hall, municipal depot, and ambulance facilities — and critical road and road‑safety improvements. Municipal infrastructure remains a central concern as the scale of proposed development grows.
According to the town, past megaprojects in Labrador, including Muskrat Falls, have demonstrated the consequences of inadequate planning for social impacts. Increased pressures on mental‑health and addictions services, housing availability, crime and community‑safety concerns, and overall service capacity must be anticipated and addressed through a comprehensive social‑impact plan developed in partnership with the Town and regional stakeholders.
Environmental impacts of major hydroelectric development will also be felt most directly in Happy Valley–Goose Bay. Increased industrial activity, land‑use pressures, and cumulative ecosystem effects require transparent assessment, mitigation, and long‑term monitoring to ensure responsible development.
The town expects formal, binding agreements outlining municipal capacity funding, infrastructure investments and timelines, social‑impact mitigation measures, and environmental‑impact commitments. Municipal capacity will be critical to ensuring the Town can meet increased demands.
“We want development that strengthens Labrador and supports our community. With the right commitments in place, we can work together to ensure this project benefits All of Us,” says Pomeroy.
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