A rookie MHA wasted no time getting her feet wet in the House of Assembly during Question Period this afternoon.

Torngat Mountains MHA, Lela Evans took her first opportunity in the House to question government on when a facility in Goose Bay will start accepting freight—including food and essential goods—to ship to northern Labrador communities.

The run from Lewisporte to Goose Bay was eliminated last year. Now, all food and materials must be trucked to the freight facility in Goose Bay before being shipped on to Northern Labrador.

Minister of Transportation and Works Steve Crocker responded, saying government adjusted freight rates to accommodate changes to the shipment route, and that he would get the date to Evans to clarify when the terminal would start accepting freight.

However, Evans countered, saying that answer was unacceptable as her constituents are missing critical information.

Evans says since the Lewisporte service was cancelled by the Liberal government, they cannot make plans to truck freight into Goose Bay, to then be shipped to the north coast—making it very confusing and difficult for both businesses and residents.

Premier Meets with Indigenous Leaders

Meanwhile, Premier Dwight Ball met with Indigenous groups from Labrador this morning with all three Indigenous leaders in attendance.

Ball says the meeting went well and it came following a letter he sent to Indigenous groups back in early April. Ball requested that they put a committee in place to lead the implementations of recommendations from the Independent Advisory Council (IEAC), when it comes to Muskrat Falls.

He says it’s not a top-down decision on what recommendations they use. Ball says it’s a committee that everyone was fully aware would be put in place to lead the implementation of the recommendations.

With Muskrat Falls just months away from water flow, Ball says it will depend on the courage and will of those sitting around the table to come to a consensus.