The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring greater connectivity for Northerners and strengthening trade corridors. This supports our supply chains, helps grow our economy, and creates good, middle-class jobs.

“Many isolated communities in the Nunatsiavut region are not connected to the Trans-Labrador Highway. They presently, rely instead on air and marine services for travel and goods. A new roadway connection between northern Labrador and the Trans-Labrador Highway would provide an all-season link to the south, and with it, social and economic benefits including access to employment and economic development sites. This pre-feasibility study is a first step in the evaluation process.”

The Honourable Omar Alghabra
Minister of Transport

“Our government has made significant investments for transportation in Labrador, including ferry services for the Strait of Belle Isle and northern Labrador, and for the Trans-Labrador Highway, which was completed earlier this year. Extending the highway with access roads to the northern communities could lead to numerous opportunities and we look forward to this study being completed.”

The Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Ensuring safe transport in and out of Labrador's north has remained a top priority for our government. In partnership with the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and the strong leadership of the Nunatsiavut Government, I am pleased to see this important investment move forward. By investing in this pre-feasibility study, we are one step closer to making this valuable infrastructure a reality."

Yvonne Jones
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and to the Minister of Northern Affairs

“Transportation is key to economic and social development. This study is a positive first step that will provide us with information to determine the technical, financial, environmental and social viability of a road connection to Northern Labrador. I look forward to working with the Nunatsiavut Government and the Innu Nation as we work towards bridging the transportation infrastructure gap in this region.”

The Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Labrador Affairs and Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Having been professionally involved in this important project for many years, I am pleased to now be associated with this exciting next step for strengthening transportation networks in Labrador. The Provincial and Federal partnership for the pre-feasibility study reflects the shared priority to further connect all of Labrador’s communities. Stronger and more reliable transportation networks will have social and economic benefits for everyone.”

Perry Trimper
MHA for Lake Melville

• The National Trade Corridors Fund is a competitive, merit-based program that helps infrastructure owners and users invest in the critical assets that support economic activity in Canada. It represents a long-term commitment by the Government of Canada to work with stakeholders on strategic infrastructure projects.

• National Trade Corridors Fund projects address the unique and urgent transportation needs in Canada's Arctic and North. The needs include climate resilience and access to markets, creating social and economic opportunities, access between communities and to essential services despite difficult terrain and severe climate conditions, and the high cost of construction along Canada’s northern trade corridors.

• Budget 2022 provided $450 million over five years, starting in 2022-23, to support supply chain projects through the National Trade Corridors Fund, which will help ease the movement of goods across Canada’s transportation networks. This additional funding brings the program’s total allocation to $4.6 billion over 11 years (2017-2028).

• Provincial, territorial, and municipal governments, Indigenous groups, not-for-profit and for-profit private-sector organizations, federal Crown corporations, and academia are all eligible for funding under the National Trade Corridors Fund.

Associated links

• National Trade Corridors Fund Backgrounder
• Trade and Transportation Corridors Initiative
• Investing in Canada Plan
• Transportation 2030

Nadine Ramadan
Press Secretary and Communications Advisor
Office of the Honourable Omar Alghabra
Minister of Transport
Nadine.Ramadan@tc.gc.ca

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
media@tc.gc.ca