The Town of Lewisporte is calling for government action in following through on a commitment it says was made to support economic diversification in the town following the loss of the Labrador Coastal Service.

The move of the coastal service base from Lewisporte to Labrador several years ago was an immediate economic blow to the community, one from which the town has struggled to rebound.

The town presented an economic diversification strategy to government back in 2019, but hasn’t heard much from government since.

Mayor Krista Freake says most frustrating of all is the fact that interest is being expressed in the port facilities in Lewisporte, but they’re stalled on making any progress.

She says they have been unable to respond to inquiries about the infrastructure there because the wharf isn’t suitable for use at this time. She’s calling on area MHA Derek Bennett, Minister Elvis Loveless and Premier Andrew Furey to make good on commitments made to the town and get economic diversification moving forward.