Federal governmentinvests in transit service and active transportation infrastructure in Happy Valley-Goose Bay

HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, NL, Oct. 14, 2026 /CNW/ -- Improvements are coming to Happy Valley-Goose Bay's transportation infrastructure after a combined investment of more than $1.3 million from the federal government, the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Housing and Homelessness Coalition.

This funding supports two infrastructure projects and was announced by Philip Earle, Member of Parliament for Labrador; His Worship Bert Pomeroy, Mayor of Happy Valley-Goose Bay; and Jackie Compton Hobbs, Executive Director of the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Housing and Homelessness Coalition.

The first project, the Kelland Drive Multi-use Trail Extension, will upgrade a 3.5-kilometre multi-use trail to improve active transportation routes in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The project will extend and develop the current path along Kelland Drive and connect to the existing bike trail to offer a safe and smooth active transportation route. The trail will be upgraded with culverts, crosswalks and asphalt paving. With improved access to the Labrador Health Centre, Mealy Mountain Collegiate and the College of the North Atlantic, the upgraded path will ensure walkers, wheelchair users and cyclists will have an accessible route to get to their destination.

The second project will support the purchase of a new van for the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Housing and Homelessness Coalition. The van will be used for on-demand transit service for the community.

Quotes

"Investing in walking trails helps build a healthier, more connected community in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. This funding will give residents of all ages more opportunities to get outdoors, stay active, and enjoy the benefits of walking as part of their daily lives. These trails are about more than getting from one place to another. They create spaces where families can spend time together, neighbours can connect, and our community can enjoy the outdoors and the quality of life that makes Labrador such a special place to call home."

Philip Earle, Member of Parliament for Labrador

"The Town of Happy Valley-Goose is pleased to see this funding directed toward improving active transportation in our community. Following the upgrades to the main trail through town last year, this investment gives us the opportunity to further enhance our trail network and extend safe, accessible connections throughout the community. These improvements will benefit residents of all ages and abilities while supporting healthier, more sustainable ways of getting around town. We appreciate the Government of Canada's support in helping us continue to strengthen and grow our trail system for the benefit of residents today and into the future."

His Worship Bert Pomeroy, Mayor of Happy Valley-Goose Bay

"At the HVGB Housing and Homelessness Coalition, we believe that every senior in our community deserves the opportunity to remain active, independent, and connected, regardless of their mobility or financial circumstances. Thanks to funding through the Rural Transit Solutions Fund, we are excited to introduce a free, accessible transportation service available to all seniors in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Whether it's attending a medical appointment, picking up groceries, or participating in community events, this service will help remove transportation barriers that can often lead to isolation and missed opportunities. This investment is about much more than purchasing a vehicle. It's about improving quality of life, promoting independence, and ensuring that seniors in our community can continue to access the services and experiences that matter most to them. We are incredibly grateful for this funding and the positive impact it will have on seniors throughout Happy Valley-Goose Bay."

Jackie Compton Hobbs, Executive Director of the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Housing and Homelessness Coalition.

Quick Facts

Kelland Drive Multi-use Trail Extension

• For the Kelland Drive Multi-use Trail Extension, the federal government is investing $702,348 in this project through the Active Transportation Fund (ATF), and the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay is contributing $468,232.
• The ATF supports projects that build new and expanded networks of pathways, sidewalks, bike lanes and trails to support affordable, greener, and healthier options for Canadians to access their communities by walking, cycling, and through the use of human-powered or hybrid mobility aids such as wheelchairs, scooters, e-bikes, rollerblades, snowshoes, cross-country skis, and more. 
• A minimum of 10% of ATF's funding is allocated to projects that benefit Indigenous populations and communities.
• The ATF supports the National Active Transportation Strategy, the country's first strategic approach for promoting active transportation and its benefits. It uses data-driven and evidence-based investments to build new and expanded active transportation networks, while supporting equitable and sustainable travel options.
• The federal government also launched the Active Transportation Online Hub. This webpage provides resources related to active transportation, such as data and research, policies, success stories on projects across Canada, and information on the federal government's active transportation investments.
• Federal funding is conditional on fulfilling all requirements related to consultation with Indigenous groups and environmental assessment obligations. 
• Federal funding is conditional on the signing of the contribution agreement. 

Housing and Homelessness Coalition Van Purchase

• The federal government is investing $166,240 in this project through the Rural Transit Solutions Fund (RTSF), and the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Housing and Homelessness Coalition is contributing $41,560.
• The RTSF supports a range of public transit models including fixed-route transit, flex-route transit, demand-response transit, community shuttles and Mobility-as-a-Service. In addition to supporting the purchase of rolling stock, the RTSF also provides funding for fixed infrastructure that enhances access to public transit.
• A minimum of 10% of RTSF's funding is allocated to projects that benefit Indigenous populations and communities.
• One in five Canadians live in rural communities. Rural communities in Canada account for nearly 30% of the nation's gross domestic product.
• The RTSF complements Canada's strengthened climate plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. Through the plan, the federal government has committed to providing funding for public transit to support making clean and affordable transportation available in every community.
• The Government of Canada is taking concrete actions to strengthen the economy by investing in Canadians and supporting Canadian businesses.
• Federal actions are creating good jobs, accelerating home building and helping communities grow across the country.
• The funding announced today builds on the federal government's work through the Atlantic Growth Strategy to create well-paying jobs and strengthen local economies. 
• Federal funding is conditional on the signing of the contribution agreement. 

Associated Links

Active Transportation Fund
https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/trans/index-eng.html 

National Active Transportation Strategy
https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/trans/active-strat-actif-eng.html 

Rural Transit Solutions Fund
https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/rural-trans-rural/index-eng.html 

Strengthened Climate Plan
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html 

Housing and Infrastructure Project Map
https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html 

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SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

Contacts: For more information (media only), please contact: Piper McWilliams, Communications Advisor, Office of the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, 819-955-1813, [email protected]; Media Relations, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]; Kathy Eddy, Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, [phone], [email protected]; Jackie Compton Hobbs, Executive Director of the Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Housing and Homelessness Coalition, [email protected]