 LOCAL NEWS - OCTOBER 28, 2020 - Count Dracula visits our region! Get out the garlic, and don't invite him in! Count Dracula is on the Lower North Shore and he sure is thirsty! CFBS had a surprise visitor today, Count Dracula appeared at our doorstep requesting an interview, and in true coaster fashion, we welcomed him in. Big mistake! After a friendly chat about why he is in the area, he started to look at me strangely and I suddenly felt like I might be dinner! Long story made short, he chased me around the station until Ian pushed him out the door and locked it! Whew, that sure was close! If you want to hear how it all unfolded, listen to the interview with Count Dracula by clicking on the sound file below (click on the speaker icon next to the sound file and a media player will open up to hear the interview). Be careful everyone and have a safe Halloween! Abbygail Wellman CFBS Journalist 
 LOCAL NEWS - OCTOBER 21, 2020 - A Fun Halloween Prank Activity for All Ages Have you been Boo'ed yet? A new Halloween COVID-19 friendly activity is sweeping the nation, and it entails leaving a Halloween treat at the door of your friend, family or neighbor's home. Intrigued? So was I when I first heard of this new activity today following a social media post from a friend in Calgary. So I decided to get the scoop on what this was about. First, you prepare a treat bag for the person you want to boo. It can be a Ziploc bag of candies and stickers, a treat pail of goodies, or anything else you and your family can come up with. There is a free 'You've Been Boo'ed' printable template on beenbooed.com, here is the link and what the template looks like: http://www.beenbooed.com/beenbooed-outline.pdf  Once you have your treat prepared and your printable ready, you can write the name of the person or persons on the ghost printable. You may also choose to sign your name to the paper or you can choose to leave the treat as a mystery of where it can from. Now you are ready to KNOCK, KNOCK, BOO! Go to the family, friend or neighbor's home of your choice, knock or ring the door bell and THEN RUN! Try not to be seen, it adds to the fun of your adventure and being a super stealth boo ninja! You can boo as many people as you want, this is a super fun COVID-19 safe activity that requires no contact between the treat giver and the person getting boo'ed! 
NOTE TO THOSE WHO GET BOO'ED: Please put the ghost paper given with your treat in your window to show that you have been boo'ed by someone. Have fun and share pictures on your social media to share in the fun. Sounds super fun right? I am already thinking of who my family are going to BOO! Get out there and begin your own community BOO-FEST and start your BOO-ing today. Have a safe and Happy Halloween! Abbygail Wellman CFBS Journalist  LOCAL NEWS - OCTOBER 20, 2020 - School Bus Safety, Drivers Be Safe or Be Fined!
CFBS was made aware of a incident that occurred in the community of Blanc-Sablon last week where a motorist passed a stopped school bus that had its lights flashing as a young child was crossing the street to enter the bus, this resulted in the vehicle narrowly missing the child. A parent of the child obtained the license plate of the vehicle in question and reported the incident to the police, the parent also decided to press charges. According to the parent who spoke with CFBS this morning on condition of anonymity, the parent was informed by the local Sûreté du Québec police, that the motorist who is not from the region, has received a fine of $300 and has lost 9 demerit points on their license. KNOW THE LAW, BE SAFE OR BE FINED! (The following information is from the SAAQ) The rule is simple: Be ready to stop if you are approaching or following a school bus! Before stopping to take on or let off passengers, school bus drivers must signal their intention. Yellow lights will be activated, indicating that you must slow down and avoid sudden braking or acceleration.
PENALTIES Drivers = FINE FROM $200 TO $300, LOSE 9 DEMERIT POINTS Cyclists = FINE FROM $80 TO $100 Note that you are not required to stop when you are approaching a school bus that is in another lane that is separated by a median. Abbygail Wellman CFBS Journalist Shelly Fequet of the Coasters Association, Speaks on Community Engagement and Mobilization10/19/2020
 Shelly Fequet, Director of Community Engagement at the Coasters Association LOCAL NEWS - OCTOBER 19, 2020 - Changes Taking Place within the Coasters Association CFBS was speaking this afternoon to Shelly Fequet, the new Director of Community Engagement and Mobilization for the Coasters Association. Shelly shared info with us about:
Listen to the interview with Shelly Fequet by clicking on the sound file below (click on the speaker icon next to the sound file and a media player will open up to hear the interview). Abbygail Wellman CFBS Journalist
LOCAL NEWS - OCTOBER 15, 2020 - NEW PRIVATE CLINIC OFFERING PSYCHOSOCIAL SERVIVES IN SEPT-ILES
CFBS was speaking with Dominique Leclerc, a Special Care Counsellor at Clinique interdisciplinaire Le Marais, an interdisciplinary clinic that now offers specialized psychosocial services to the residents of the North Shore territory. Dominique shared information with us today about the mission of Le Marais as well as the services they offer, info on the professionals in their team, and who can benefit from their services. ABOUT LE MARAIS Le Marais is a private clinic providing specialized psychosocial services. It will bring together professionals from all backgrounds under one roof. This context will help foster an interdisciplinary approach to clients. For more information, you can visit the Facebook page of Clinique interdisciplinaire Le Marais at:
https://www.facebook.com/cliniquelemarais/
Listen to the interview with Dominique Leclerc by clicking on the sound file below (click on the speaker icon next to the sound file and a media player will open up to hear the interview). Abbygail Wellman CFBS Journalist
 OCTOBER 15 - HALLOWEEN FOR KIDS IS A GO, LEGAULT SAYS
Quebec Premier François Legault announced this afternoon during the daily press brief on COVID-19 that children can go trick-or-treating, but that there will be a few restrictions in place.
Adults are not allowed to hold Halloween parties or get-togethers, Legault said. “This year is only for kids gathering candies,” Legault added. So, if you want to get creative this year, here is some great ideas from CFBS on how to have a boo-tastic time without the out and about of adult parties:
Abbygail Wellman CFBS Journalist  LOCAL NEWS - OCTOBER 14, 2020: EARLY HOLIDAY SHOPPING ON THE LOWER NORTH SHORE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Christmas Shopping on the Lower North Shore might be a little more difficult this year with the delays in the mail and you may already be scratching your head on what to get Uncle Henry. If you are like me, you may be thinking already about getting an early start on your Christmas gift purchases. So here are some great ideas to consider as you begin Christmas gift giving preparations:
Also worth to mention, at CFBS we have bingo gift certificates and bingo dabbers available that make great easy gifts for your favorite bingo player! Stop by or give us a call and we will be glad to help you with your purchases. Continue to stay safe during the pandemic, and be sure to get holiday ready as Christmas is only 72 days away! Abbygail Wellman CFBS Journalist  Photo courtesy of Clarissa Smith: Bella Desgagnes Passengers waited for hours yesterday (Oct 1) at the wharf in Kegaska for info on when they would be taken to Natahsquan, only arriving there late on Thursday evening without direction on accommodations or flight information LOCAL NEWS - OCTOBER 2, 2020: BELLA DESGAGNES PASSENGERS UPSET AT DISORGANIZATION AFTER DISEMBARKMENT IN KEGASKA CFBS was speaking this morning with Clarissa Smith, a resident of Bradore, who was on board the M/V Bella Desgagnes yesterday morning when the passengers were disembarked in Kegaska following a crew member having tested positive for COVID-19. Clarissa reached out to CFBS to express her upset at the treatment they experienced while being left for hours in Kegaska with no information on when they would be brought to Natashquan for the chartered flight promised to bring them to Blanc-Sablon. According to Miss Smith, many passengers were still stranded in Natashquan as of this morning, frustrated after a long day of waiting for a ride to Natashquan, only to arrive in the evening with no flight arranged to go home and no accommodations arranged for the night upon arrival. "We’re pretty beat. Stranded is not the word of what we’ve been through! Will we get home today?" Miss Smith said to CFBS this morning by Facebook Messenger. "Will we be stranded here for a few more days? We were told that our chartered flight would be ready for us, instead we sat for hours with no bathroom, no food, and no shelter! The wharf manager Mr. Mckinnon did his best to help us while waiting of his own accord, but it was not acceptable!" she said speaking with CFBS this morning by telephone. "One flight has finally left with passengers for Chevery, the rest of us who are going to Blanc-Sablon have no set time yet of when we will be leaving, we have now been at the airport since 5am with no food and a bathroom not stocked with essentials. We should have been better taken care of by Relais Nordik than this! Our vehicles have now arrived home ahead of us and we are being told that the airline has to do regular flights before we will be accommodated now, why were we not top priority since yesterday morning? Fog is now setting in at home in Blanc-Sablon and we have no clue when we will arrive home at this point" Clarissa Smith added. The company Relais Nordik Inc, operator of the maritime service of Anticosti Island and the Lower North Shore, stated in a press release issued yesterday that they were notified earlier in the morning of October 1st that a crew member, who was not currently on board the M/V Bella Desgagnés, tested positive for COVID-19. The employee in question has been off the ship since Monday September 28th. Company officials made the decision to isolate the employee and quickly submitted him for testing when they learned that one of the employee’s contact had tested positive. Given the rapid response, this will likely have helped to prevent the virus from spreading to other people. This employee who works in the engine room is unlikely to have been in contact with crew members outside of his work bubble, and highly unlikely to have had contact with customers or citizens. No crew member presently on board has any symptoms at this time. A protocol of strict measures had been put in place in this regard by RNI and the STQ to ensure the safe service of Anticosti Island and the Lower North Shore. CFBS has reached out to Relais Nordik Inc. manager Francis Roy this morning for a comment regarding the disembarked passengers who are still waiting in Natashquan. Speaking with Warden Randy Jones this morning, he clarified that Relais Nordik Inc. transfers the responsibility to the STQ (Société des traversiers du Québec) on the Lower North Shore when they have an emergency and are unable to get passengers home. Abbygail Wellman CFBS Journalist  Wanda Beaudoin, Mayor of the Municipality of Blanc-Sablon LOCAL NEWS - SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 - MAYOR WANDA BEAUDOIN GIVES AN UPDATE TO THE POPULATION REGARDING ONGOING FILES CFBS was speaking to Mayor Wanda Beaudoin today regarding important files being worked on. Listen to the interview with Mayor Beaudoin by clicking on the sound files below (click on the speaker icon next to the sound file and a media player will open up to hear the interview). Becky Spingle CFBS Journalist
 LOCAL NEWS - SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 - Synergie 138 Promoting business opportunities by networking businesses from Île d'Orléans to Blanc-Sablon Synergie 138 is an alliance making it possible to increase innovative and unifying business opportunities through the circular economy in the SADC territories of Charlevoix / Côte-de-Beaupré / Île d'Orléans, Haute-Côte-Nord, Manicouagan and North Coast. An enlarged territory in a sustainable symbiosis. I was speaking today with Barbara Morneau of Synergie 138 - SADC Cote-Nord, Marilou Vanier of Niche Accord, and Vincent Carbonnelle who is an agent for the ecoleader fund. Listen to the interviews by clicking on the sound files below (click on the speaker icon next to the sound file and a media player will open up to hear the interview). Becky Spingle CFBS Journalist
THE CENTRE DE JUSTICE DE PROXIMITÉ CÔTE-NORD (CJPCN) DISCUSSES INFORMATION ON RIVING OFFENCES9/18/2020
 LOCAL NEWS - SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 - LEGAL INFORMATION ON DRIVING OFFENCES CFBS was speaking with Angela Morency, a member of the Centre de justice de proximité Côte-Nord (CJPCN), an organization that offers free legal information to the residents of the North Shore territory. Angela shared information with us today on the legal topic of driving offences. We dicussed:
HISTORY OF THE CJPCN: Founded in September 2017, the Centre de justice de proximité Côte-Nord (CJPCN) was inaugurated in July 2018. The CJPCN is fully subsidized by the Access Justice Fund of the Quebec Ministry of Justice. The CJPCN offers free legal information, support and guidance to various resources to all North Shore citizens. LEGAL INFORMATION: Provide information on rights and obligations in order to understand the various legal realities of daily life in order to react to them in an informed manner, whether through the judicial system or methods of preventing and resolving disputes. SUPPORT: Support by accompanying citizens in establishing their legal needs and by presenting possible options to meet them. Free legal information sessions are also offered. ORIENTATION: Orient towards different legal, community or other resources. Its board of directors is made up of permanent members and citizen members from the judicial districts of Baie-Comeau and Mingan. On a vast territory like ours, accessibility to quality legal information is an essential asset and this translates, as our name so clearly indicates, in local justice, close to the people of our region and which will stick to regional realities such as geography and the presence of several Aboriginal communities. For more information, you can visit the website of the Centre de justice de proximité Côte-Nord (CJPCN) at : https://www.justicedeproximite.qc.ca/ Listen to the interview with Angela Morency by clicking on the sound files below (click on the speaker icon next to the sound file and a media player will open up to hear the interview). Abbygail Wellman CFBS Journalist
THE CENTRE DE JUSTICE DE PROXIMITÉ CÔTE-NORD (CJPCN) DISCUSSES INFORMATION ON CHILDREN'S RIGHTS9/14/2020
LOCAL NEWS - SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 - LEGAL INFORMATION ON CHILDREN'S RIGHTS CFBS was speaking with Angela Morency, a member of the Centre de justice de proximité Côte-Nord (CJPCN), an organization that offers free legal information to the residents of the North Shore territory. Angela shared information with us today on the legal topic of children's rights. We dicussed:
HISTORY OF THE CJPCN: Founded in September 2017, the Centre de justice de proximité Côte-Nord (CJPCN) was inaugurated in July 2018. The CJPCN is fully subsidized by the Access Justice Fund of the Quebec Ministry of Justice. The CJPCN offers free legal information, support and guidance to various resources to all North Shore citizens. LEGAL INFORMATION: Provide information on rights and obligations in order to understand the various legal realities of daily life in order to react to them in an informed manner, whether through the judicial system or methods of preventing and resolving disputes. SUPPORT: Support by accompanying citizens in establishing their legal needs and by presenting possible options to meet them. Free legal information sessions are also offered. ORIENTATION: Orient towards different legal, community or other resources. Its board of directors is made up of permanent members and citizen members from the judicial districts of Baie-Comeau and Mingan. On a vast territory like ours, accessibility to quality legal information is an essential asset and this translates, as our name so clearly indicates, in local justice, close to the people of our region and which will stick to regional realities such as geography and the presence of several Aboriginal communities. For more information, you can visit the website of the Centre de justice de proximité Côte-Nord (CJPCN) at : https://www.justicedeproximite.qc.ca/ Listen to the interview with Angela Morency by clicking on the sound files below (click on the speaker icon next to the sound file and a media player will open up to hear the interview). Abbygail Wellman CFBS Journalist
THE CENTRE DE JUSTICE DE PROXIMITÉ CÔTE-NORD (CJPCN) DISCUSSES INFORMATION ON Parental Authority9/11/2020
LOCAL NEWS - SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 - LEGAL INFORMATION ON PARENTAL AUTHORITY CFBS was speaking with Angela Morency, a member of the Centre de justice de proximité Côte-Nord (CJPCN), an organization that offers free legal information to the residents of the North Shore territory. Angela shared information with us today on the legal topic of parental authority. We dicussed:
HISTORY OF THE CJPCN: Founded in September 2017, the Centre de justice de proximité Côte-Nord (CJPCN) was inaugurated in July 2018. The CJPCN is fully subsidized by the Access Justice Fund of the Quebec Ministry of Justice. The CJPCN offers free legal information, support and guidance to various resources to all North Shore citizens. LEGAL INFORMATION: Provide information on rights and obligations in order to understand the various legal realities of daily life in order to react to them in an informed manner, whether through the judicial system or methods of preventing and resolving disputes. SUPPORT: Support by accompanying citizens in establishing their legal needs and by presenting possible options to meet them. Free legal information sessions are also offered. ORIENTATION: Orient towards different legal, community or other resources. Its board of directors is made up of permanent members and citizen members from the judicial districts of Baie-Comeau and Mingan. On a vast territory like ours, accessibility to quality legal information is an essential asset and this translates, as our name so clearly indicates, in local justice, close to the people of our region and which will stick to regional realities such as geography and the presence of several Aboriginal communities. For more information, you can visit the website of the Centre de justice de proximité Côte-Nord (CJPCN) at : https://www.justicedeproximite.qc.ca/ Listen to the interview with Angela Morency by clicking on the sound files below (click on the speaker icon next to the sound file and a media player will open up to hear the interview). Abbygail Wellman CFBS Journalist
UPDATE: positive case of COVID-19 is not a resident of the Lower North Shore or of the North Shore9/11/2020
 LOCAL NEWS - SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 - MISTAKE MADE IN POSTAL CODE OF YESTERDAY'S COVID STATS FOR THE MRC DU GOLFE DU SAINT-LAURENT
The positive case of COVID-19 announced for the MRC du Golfe du Saint-Laurent on September 10th is not a resident of the Lower North Shore or of the North Shore. Warden of the MRC du Golfe du Saint-Laurent, Randy Jones, posted this on facebook this morning, relaying a communication with Constance Monger of the CISSS de la Cote-Nord: Good day, Following the investigation carried out to communicate with each individual who have been in contact with the infected person and after confirmation from this person, we would like to inform you that the positive case of COVID-19 is not a resident of the Lower North Shore or of the North Shore. Due to a postal code and address entry error, this case will be removed from our distribution and will be transferred to the concerned region within the next 48 hours. Dr. Richard Fachehoun will address this at the CISSS de la Côte-Nord press conference today at 3 p.m. Since we have no cases to report, we will not be issuing a press release. Abbygail Wellman CFBS Journalist  Wanda Beaudoin, Mayor of the Municipality of Blanc-Sablon LOCAL NEWS - SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 - MAYOR WANDA BEAUDOIN GIVES AN UPDATE TO THE POPULATION REGARDING THE COVID CASE ANNOUNCED ON THE LNS TODAY The 1 confirmed case is a resident of the Lower North Shore, but is currently outside of the territory. Mayor Beaudoin said that the CISSS de la Cote Nord stated that the individual will not be returning to the region until cured. Listen to the interview with Mayor Beaudoin by clicking on the sound file below (click on the speaker icon next to the sound file and a media player will open up to hear the interview). Abbygail Wellman CFBS Journalist
 LOCAL NEWS - SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 - INFORMATION ABOUT HAVING A CONTRACT WITH A CONTRACTOR CFBS was speaking with Angela Morency, a member of the Centre de justice de proximité Côte-Nord (CJPCN), an organization that offers free legal information to the residents of the North Shore territory. Angela shared information with us today on the topic of having a contract with a contractor. HISTORY OF THE CJPCN: Founded in September 2017, the Centre de justice de proximité Côte-Nord (CJPCN) was inaugurated in July 2018. The CJPCN is fully subsidized by the Access Justice Fund of the Quebec Ministry of Justice. The CJPCN offers free legal information, support and guidance to various resources to all North Shore citizens. LEGAL INFORMATION: Provide information on rights and obligations in order to understand the various legal realities of daily life in order to react to them in an informed manner, whether through the judicial system or methods of preventing and resolving disputes. SUPPORT: Support by accompanying citizens in establishing their legal needs and by presenting possible options to meet them. Free legal information sessions are also offered. ORIENTATION: Orient towards different legal, community or other resources. Its board of directors is made up of permanent members and citizen members from the judicial districts of Baie-Comeau and Mingan. On a vast territory like ours, accessibility to quality legal information is an essential asset and this translates, as our name so clearly indicates, in local justice, close to the people of our region and which will stick to regional realities such as geography and the presence of several Aboriginal communities. For more information, you can visit the website of the Centre de justice de proximité Côte-Nord (CJPCN) at : https://www.justicedeproximite.qc.ca/ Listen to the interview with Angela Morency by clicking on the sound files below (click on the speaker icon next to the sound file and a media player will open up to hear the interview). Abbygail Wellman CFBS Journalist
 LOCAL NEWS - AUGUST 28, 2020 - CSSL WELCOMES STUDENTS BACK TO SCHOOL NEXT WEEK An update from the Administrator of the Centre de Services Scolaire du Littoral, Philip Joycey, regarding:
Listen to the interview with Mr. Joycey by clicking on the sound file below (click on the speaker icon next to the sound file and a media player will open up to hear the interview). Abbygail Wellman CFBS Journalist
 LOCAL NEWS - AUGUST 27, 2020 - THE AMAZING SEABIRDS OF OUR REGION CFBS was speaking with Thierry Grandmont, a master's student in biology at Laval University and a consultant for the Quebec Labrador Foundation, about the local seabirds of the region. Thierry is an avid bird watcher and visited Blanc-Sablon as a QLF intern in 2018 and as a QLF staff member in 2019. He is now working on a seabird conservation project for the Quebec Labrador Foundation. Listen to the interview with Thierry Grandmont by clicking on the sound file below (click on the speaker icon next to the sound file and a media player will open up to hear the interview). Abbygail Wellman CFBS Journalist
LOCAL NEWS - AUGUST 27, 2020 - The Archeo-Mamu team is in Blanc-Sablon! CFBS was speaking with Manek Kohlatkar, an archaeologist from the Anthropo-Lab of the Université de Montréal and currently working for Archeo-Mamu, spoke with us about what they are currently working on In Blanc-Sablon during the team's 2 week visit to the area. Archeo-Mamu has a great community project happening in partnership with the Gulf of Saint-Laurent RCM, the Anthropo-Lab of the Université de Montréal, the Municipality of Blanc-Sablon and the Centre services scolaire du Littoral (CSSL). Listen to the interview with Manek by clicking on the sound file below (click on the speaker icon next to the sound file and a media player will open up to hear the interview). Abbygail Wellman CFBS Journalist
LOCAL NEWS - AUGUST 26, 2020 - INFORMATION ABOUT WRITING A WILL CFBS was speaking with Angela Morency, a member of the Centre de justice de proximité Côte-Nord (CJPCN), an organization that offers free legal information to the residents of the North Shore territory. Angela shared information with us today on the topic of writing a will. HISTORY OF THE CJPCN: Founded in September 2017, the Centre de justice de proximité Côte-Nord (CJPCN) was inaugurated in July 2018. The CJPCN is fully subsidized by the Access Justice Fund of the Quebec Ministry of Justice. The CJPCN offers free legal information, support and guidance to various resources to all North Shore citizens. LEGAL INFORMATION: Provide information on rights and obligations in order to understand the various legal realities of daily life in order to react to them in an informed manner, whether through the judicial system or methods of preventing and resolving disputes. SUPPORT: Support by accompanying citizens in establishing their legal needs and by presenting possible options to meet them. Free legal information sessions are also offered. ORIENTATION: Orient towards different legal, community or other resources. Its board of directors is made up of permanent members and citizen members from the judicial districts of Baie-Comeau and Mingan. On a vast territory like ours, accessibility to quality legal information is an essential asset and this translates, as our name so clearly indicates, in local justice, close to the people of our region and which will stick to regional realities such as geography and the presence of several Aboriginal communities. For more information, you can visit the website of the Centre de justice de proximité Côte-Nord (CJPCN) at : https://www.justicedeproximite.qc.ca/ Listen to the interview with Angela Morency by clicking on the sound files below (click on the speaker icon next to the sound file and a media player will open up to hear the interview). Abbygail Wellman CFBS Journalist
 LOCAL NEWS - AUGUST 5, 2020 - WELCOME TO THE BAKEAPPLE FOLK FESTIVAL OF 2020 An interview with Dean Flynn, Chairperson of the Bakeapple Folk Festival in Forteau, speaking about the upcoming festival this weekend now on its 41st year of providing local fun for all ages!  Check our their new website at: https://www.bakeapplefolkfestival.ca/home/ Check out their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/bakeapplefolkfestival/ Listen to the interview with Mr. Flynn by clicking on the sound file below (click on the speaker icon next to the sound file and a media player will open up to hear the interview). Abbygail Wellman CFBS Journalist
 The whole of the Lower North Shore is not connected by road link to the rest of Quebec, Kegaska connects to the rest of the province to the west and Old Fort to Blanc-Sablon has 69 km of road which connects to Labrador LOCAL NEWS - JULY 30, 2020 - Quebec Government to Assist LNS Representatives in Request to Have Access to Newfoundland File An interview update from the Warden of the MRC du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent, and the Mayor of the Municipality of Blanc-Sablon, Wanda Beaudoin, regarding:
Listen to the interview with Warden Jones and Mayor Beaudoin by clicking on the sound files below (click on the speaker icon next to the sound file and a media player will open up to hear the interview). Abbygail Wellman CFBS Journalist
 Screenshot of Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, Chief Medical Officer of Health for Newfoundland and Labrador, at today's press brief LOCAL NEWS - JULY 29, 2020 – Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Weekly Press Brief Update CFBS attended this afternoon by telephone, in the weekly press brief of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to discuss COVID-19 within the province. The press brief was led by the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services, and Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, Chief Medical Officer of Health. Residents of the Lower North Shore have been awaiting an answer since last Wednesday (July 22) from Dr. Fitzgerald regarding the proposal request letter sent by Warden Randy Jones of the MRC du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent, to have the Lower North Shore included in the Newfoundland bubble, granting less restrictive access to the island. CFBS asked Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, Chief Medical Officer of Health for Newfoundland and Labrador, for an update on the status of the request from Warden Jones sent last Wednesday (July 22), as well a possible time frame for the decision to be given. In response, she said "I don't have a record of receiving the letter, we had looked into this when we were first asked the question, I will take that back and we will look into it again, but I don't have an update for you right now." CFBS also inquired about the travel information on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador website that states that people travelling for work within the communities along the Labrador-Quebec border (Labrador City, Wabush, Fermont, the Labrador Straits area and Blanc Sablon) that they no longer need to isolate upon return to the province. If people travelling from within the Atlantic bubble for work that come to Blanc-Sablon is without necessity to isolate, this seems to indicate that the area of Blanc-Sablon is not a COVID threat to the people travelling within this bubble. The response from Dr. Janice Fitzgerald was, "So we know that the incidence of COVID-19 in that area is low, but the Atlantic bubble is separate from what's happening with the Quebec-Labrador border." Premier Ball also added, "So even though the prevalence might be low, and it is, this is very difficult. Because what we know is that in this particular area the province relationship has been excellent, and for many many years has been excellent. But we also know, that if you live in, for instance that area, and you move into one of the communities inside Quebec where the instance and prevalence of COVID could be much higher, when you come back to your own community you do not have to self isolate. So people can actually move freely around Quebec, in this particular case, and move back into their own community and not self-isolate. So there is a bit of distinction here of what happens in other provinces. This is the reason why there has been a letter sent in to public health officials, with an example of what could happen in that area." Premier Ball also assured that public health officials will take a look at the request, they need to take a look at all jurisdictions, and wanted to reassure the people of the region that they understand the close ties with the province but that we are living in a pandemic. It was mentioned during the press brief by Premier Dwight Ball, that to this date, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador have approved over 12,000 travel exemptions requests to come to the province. Following the press briefing today, Warden Randy Jones of the MRC du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent, contacted CFBS to confirm that the request letter was sent to Dr. Fitzgerald on July 22nd at 8:10pm, which in turn a notification was received by Mr. Jones that the email was opened on July 23rd at 1:16pm. So for the time being, the people of the Lower North Shore will need to continue to apply on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador website for a travel exemption, and await the decision of Dr. Fitzgerald. Abbygail Wellman CFBS Journalist The whole of the Lower North Shore is not connected by road link to the rest of Quebec, Kegaska connects to the rest of the province to the west and Old Fort to Blanc-Sablon has 69 km of road which connects to Labrador LOCAL NEWS - JULY 23, 2020 – LOWER NORTH SHORE CFBS received confirmation this morning from the Mayor of the Municipality of Blanc-Sablon, Wanda Beaudoin, that the proposal request letter to have the Lower North Shore included in the Newfoundland bubble was sent to the office of Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, the Chief Medical Officer of Health for Newfoundland and Labrador, yesterday afternoon. The letter was prepared by Randy Jones, Warden of the MRC du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent, in collaboration with Mayor Beaudoin. A second letter will also be sent today to the office of Dr. Janice Fitzgerald from the Quebec public health office to compliment the proposal letter from Warden Jones. CFBS was speaking with Warden Randy Jones and Mayor Wanda Beaudoin earlier this week following the meeting that had taken place on Monday morning (July 20) with Newfoundland and Labrador Premier, Dwight Ball, MHA Lisa Dempster, and Mayor and Chairperson of the Combined Councils of Labrador, Mr. Chad Letto of L'anse au Clair. The purpose of that meeting was to discuss the demands of the people of the Lower North Shore to have access to Newfoundland island following the recent peaceful protest at the federal wharf in Blanc-Sablon on July 16 & 17, which had caused hours of delays last week to the schedule of the Qajaq W. ferry operated by Labrador Marine Inc. The protesters feel that the Lower North Shore should be given access to Newfoundland the same as the access which was given recently to Labrador. With a lack of many essential services in the region and road access to the rest of the province, people of the Lower North Shore travel often to the island for business, services, and leisure, with many owning property in Newfoundland. It is not certain what the decision will be of Dr. Fitzgerald on the proposal, or how long it will take for a decision to be given to the request. More to come ......... Abbygail Wellman CFBS Journalist  Photo: A few members of the volunteer fire team of Blanc-Sablon, in total there are 16 volunteers who play an integral role in the community as a part of the fire brigade LOCAL NEWS - JULY 22, 2020 - FREE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND SMOKE DETECTORS COMING SOON! An interview update from the Mayor of the Municipality of Blanc-Sablon, Wanda Beaudoin, regarding:
Listen to the interview with Mayor Beaudoin by clicking on the sound file below (click on the speaker icon next to the sound file and a media player will open up to hear the interview). Abbygail Wellman CFBS Journalist
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CFBS LOCAL NEWSContact our journalist at Archives
October 2020
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