Check points now removed on the Lower North Shore

The Labrador check point remains at the Quebec/Labrador border this morning, June 1st 2020. This check point is controlled by the Government of Newfoundland/Labrador

LOCAL NEWS - JUNE 1, 2020 - LOWER NORTH SHORE

CFBS was at the Quebec/ Labrador border this morning to verify if the check point has now been removed there, which was being patrolled by the Sûreté du Québec under provincial directives since March 28, 2020.

​Speaking this morning with Officer Jonathan Harvey with the Sûreté du Québec in Blanc-Sablon, he has confirmed that the check points they were patrolling are now removed at the Quebec/Labrador border, the federal dock, and the airport in Blanc-Sablon, as well as the control point in Kegaska.

Officer Harvey also stated that the Sûreté du Québec will continue their presence at all prior check point areas for sensitization of the population, as well as to ensure peace and safety. The region is now open, so now isolation from travel outside the region is recommended, but not mandatory. Also, should anyone have any questions regarding travel, or info about COVID-19, please call the Info COVID-19 line at 1-877-644-4545.

Speaking this morning with Wanda Beaudoin, Mayor of the Municipality of Blanc-Sablon, she informed me that a meeting had taken place today that she had attended by phone with with Lisa Dempster, MHA for Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair, Chad Letto, Mayor of L'anse au Clair and Chair Person for the Combined Councils of Labrador, representatives from the Newfoundland/Labrador health department, along with Mayor Roderick Fequet of the Municipality of Bonne-Espérance, and Warden Randy Jones of the MRC du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent. Mayor Beaudoin said the purpose of the meeting was to have a discussion about the remaining Labrador/Quebec border check point controlled by the Government of Newfoundland/Labrador.

Mayor Beaudoin said that she feels it was a positive table discussion. All the information gathered from this meeting will now be presented to Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, Newfoundland and Labrador's chief medical officer of Health.

Mayor Beaudoin also expressed her disappointment that the information regarding the border being open was made aware to her by a news story shared on social media, rather than a call to notify her office or the MRC du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent in advance regarding the Lower North Shore check points, as would be expected as leaders of the region. 

Abbygail Wellman
CFBS Journalist