LOCAL NEWS – APRIL 27, 2020: BLANC-SABLON, QC.
A second check point has now been set up at the Québec/Labrador border as of this morning. This new check point is a directive of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to gather information by way of a survey of those who are crossing the border on the Labrador side, and also to ensure that those who are entering or exiting the province of Newfoundland and Labrador have a valid reason to do so.
Chad Letto, Mayor of L'anse au Clair and Chair Person for the Combined Councils of Labrador, said that the new check point on the Labrador side is a provincial directive to control the Labrador border. It is currently being overseen by officers from the Forestry and Land divisions (Wildlife, Land and Forestry). The officers will be monitoring the movement on the Labrador border, gathering statistics, and completing a questionnaire with motorists.
Mr. Letto said that the agents at the border had recently received training in health and security measures for the operation of the border check point, which included procedure training and tips on how to approach people for this type of questioning. Mr. Letto also said that The RCMP cannot patrol the Labrador/Québec border, as this directive is not in their mandate.
Denis Chartier, of the Sûreté du Québec in Blanc-Sablon, also confirmed the set up of the other border check point today by email. He stated that as of this morning, there were vehicles of both the Wildlife office and a representative of Labrador Health at the border check point. Mr. Chartier mentioned that motorists will now experience an added delay to cross the border of approximately 5 to 10 minutes, in order to complete the questionnaire.
CFBS has been following the directives taking place on the Québec side of the border since March 28, 2020 when the COVID-19 directive from the Québec government to patrol the border for essential traffic was put in place. This check point has been monitored by the Sûreté du Québec in Blanc-Sablon and will continue to be in place to ensure that the provincial directives are being adhered to on this side of the border confirmed Mr. Denis Chartier, of the Sûreté du Québec.
Abbygail Wellman
CFBS Journalist