Community Update13th Council of the Town of Happy Valley-Goose BayTaking Action on Transiently Homeless IssuesRelease Date: May 27, 2022 |
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| Since taking office in October of 2021, the 13th Council has been fully engaged in the transient and homeless issues within our community. Happy Valley-Goose Bay has witnessed a sharp increase in issues on this matter, especially over the past several weeks.
At the regular meeting of Council held on Tuesday, May 24th, 2022, delegations shared their experience and serious concerns over the same issue. Council immediately acted by reaching out to Premier Andrew Furey to request an urgent meeting to discuss this rapidly increasing issue and seek assistance to allow the community to react to enhance safety of the entire community.
On Thursday, May 26, 2022, His Worship Mayor George Andrews and the Town’s Chief Administrative Officer, Nadine MacAulay met with Premier Andrew Furey. The discussion was extremely positive and everyone in attendance recognized the importance, urgency and need to work together on this very important issue. Further details will be released in the very near future. |
The 13th Council of the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay is extremely appreciative of the Premier’s willingness to meet and work with our community. The 13th Council is also very pleased to be working diligently with the province and other community partners, through the Action Team, with developing a world-class facility to provide solutions to address homelessness in our community.
In addition to requesting a meeting with the Premier, the 13th Council also requested an urgent meeting with the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation. Mayor Andrews and CAO Nadine MacAulay met with NLC officials with the meeting focused on potential opportunities for both organizations to work together to address various concerns of the community. This was also a very successful meeting.
The Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay cannot solve this issue alone. As a municipality, we do not have the capacity or resources, financial or otherwise to effectively tackle homelessness, addictions, and intergenerational trauma. The 13th Council is and will remain fully engaged and is working tirelessly to address concerns and work along with other community partners in this matter.