The Development of a Sustainable Transportation Plan for Labrador Consultation Document October 2006 This page intentionally left blank for double-sided printing MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER As the Minister of Transportation and Works and the Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs, I am very pleased to guide the development of a Sustainable Transportation Plan for Labrador and I implore all Labradorians to have their say, as together we chart the future of transportation in The Big Land. This Government has long championed the cause of developing Labrador to its fullest potential as indicated in our 2003 Blueprint and most recently reaffirmed in the 2006 Budget, with a commitment to address social and economic growth in Labrador. The purpose of this discussion paper is to provoke thought and encourage feedback as we seek the opinions of all Labradorians in the creation of a Sustainable Transportation Plan for Labrador. The Plan will eventually dictate the future transportation priorities for Labrador as we near completion of the Trans Labrador Highway in 2009 and beyond. This is an exciting time for Labrador and, as a result, the province as a whole. We encourage stakeholders and the general public to provide their input in the decision- making process as together we shape the future of transportation in Labrador. We look forward to seeing your thoughts through the attached feedback form or through written submissions. John Hickey, MHA Lake Melville District Minister of Transportation and Works This page intentionally left blank for double-sided printing CONTENTS THE IMPORTANCE OF TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE................................................... 1 CONTEXT .......................................................................................................................... 1 People and Geography.............................................................................................. 2 Business and Industry .............................................................................................. 3 Social Considerations ............................................................................................... 6 Labrador Transportation Initiative ........................................................................... 6 Current Transportation Systems.............................................................................. 7 Air ............................................................................................................................ 7 Marine ..................................................................................................................... 8 Road ...................................................................................................................... 10 Winter Trail System.............................................................................................. 11 Rail ........................................................................................................................ 12 CONCLUSION................................................................................................................... 12 FEEDBACK FORM ............................................................................................................ 15 Route 510 entering Forteau with Point Amour Lighthouse in the background This page intentionally left blank for double-sided printing THE IMPORTANCE OF TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE Transportation infrastructure enables the movement of people and goods from one place to another. Well-functioning transportation networks are critical prerequisites to successful economies and major influences on the quality of life in a region. Infrastructure facilitates economic development and is essential to investment, productivity and competitiveness. It is also a major contributing factor to quality of life by providing citizens with access to quality Airstrip and wharf in Nain goods and services, including health percent of Newfoundland and care and social services. People and Labrador’s Gross Domestic Product investment are attracted to areas with (GDP). In 2005, capital investments well functioning, high quality (public and private) in transportation transportation infrastructure that allows totaled over 209 million dollars in the for the efficient and cost-effective province, employing 11,200 people (5.2 movement of goods, people and percent of total employment). With resources. respect to personal expenditures, 14.5 percent (or $1.4 billion - $2,774 per According to Statistics Canada, in 2004 capita) of Newfoundlanders and commercial transportation (including Labradorians’ personal expenditures warehousing) accounted for three went toward transportation. CONTEXT Concerns about transportation in them. In January 2005 Labrador hosted Labrador are not new. Prior to the 150 delegates at the combined Atlantic Trans Labrador Highway (TLH), road Provinces Transportation Forum and systems in Labrador were limited and 33rd Annual Socio-Economic the alternatives were more costly than Conference of the Combined Councils driving. Over the past decade there of Labrador. This provided delegates have been many studies on the with an opportunity to hear about some opportunities and challenges associated of the latest work in the area. One of with transportation in Labrador and the most recent studies in this province many ideas on how best to build on was conducted in the Fall of 2004 by the Development of a Sustainable Transportation Plan for Labrador: Consultation Document 1 Harris Centre of Regional Policy and access to health care, post-secondary Development at Memorial University of education, and social development Newfoundland. The Harris Centre through a variety of often ‘taken for convened four regional workshops and granted’ things, such as access to social a provincial symposium on Growing the networks, travel and recreation, and Economy in Newfoundland and goods and services. Labrador. Each workshop was asked to list five priorities for action and In order to take action on this priority, it participants at the Labrador workshop is necessary for Government to work identified transportation; including with key stakeholders to develop a marine, air and road; as one of these comprehensive sustainable multi-modal priorities. Participants indicated that transportation plan for Labrador that is access to markets was key to growing reflective of the current and future needs the economy in Labrador and that of the business community, as well as transportation infrastructure and the population as a whole. The Plan services were at the foundation of this. must also consider the geographic, Additionally, accessible and affordable demographic, and fiscal realities facing transportation is key to facilitating Labrador and the province overall. People and Geography While the land mass of Labrador is two is anticipated that the population of and a half times as large as that of the Labrador will remain relatively stable island of Newfoundland, it comprises throughout the next 15 years. While just over five percent of the entire Labrador’s population as a whole has population of the province and has only decreased during this time, the northern 32 settlements dispersed throughout region of Labrador saw an increase in this vast geography. Much of Labrador population over the same time period is uninhabited and over 70 percent of its and it is anticipated that it will continue residents live in Labrador City/Wabush, to increase through 2020. Labrador’s Churchill Falls, or Happy Valley-Goose vast geography and small disperse Bay and surrounding areas. The population present some unique remaining 30 percent are dispersed challenges for transportation throughout throughout small coastal communities. the area, between Labrador and the The population of Labrador has Island, as well as between Labrador and decreased from a high of 31,000 in 1991 the rest of Canada. to its current population of 27,100 but it 2 Development of a Sustainable Transportation Plan for Labrador: Consultation Document Population Projections By Economic Zone analysis of the demographics of the Labrador zones will be necessary in order to fully 14 , 0 0 0 comprehend how things such as 12 , 0 0 0 population aging, etc. may impact on 10 , 0 0 0 transportation need and usage. 8,000 6,000 Labrador is rich in aboriginal cultures. 4,000 With this comes many opportunities and 2,000 challenges in the areas of language and 0 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006 2011 2016 2020 governance. In addition to municipal, provincial and federal governments, the Zone 1 - Inukshuk Zone 2 - Hyron Zone 3 - Central Labrador Zone 4 - Southeastern Aurora recently established Nunatsiavut Zone 5 - Labrador St raits Government has a suite of jurisdictions similar to those of the Provincial Source: Economics and Statistics Branch, Dept. of Finance Medium Scenario Projections, April 2006 Government. This, coupled with the In order to fully appreciate the potential demand on the transportation system, one needs to consider what the population will look like in the various areas of Labrador in the future. The province’s Economic Zones provide the best basis for this analysis as they break Labrador down into five distinct regions. The Inukshuk, Southeast Aurora and Labrador Straits Zones have very small Aboriginal art on display in the Nunatsiavut Government populations (3,200; 2,600; and 2,000; Boardroom respectively) and this too is a significant factor when planning for sustainable creation of reserves