St. John’s, NL (May 2, 2025) – Lela Evans, PC Opposition Shadow Minister for Labrador Affairs and MHA for Torngat Mountains, is expressing frustration over the Liberal government’s recent announcement of a new interprovincial air travel service agreement with PAL airlines.

The new subsidized seasonal route will expand capacity between St. John’s, Gander and Deer Lake but has excluded Labrador.

“This is the wrong time to be short-sighted when it comes to Labrador. Labradorians are sick and tired of this Liberal government's attitude of ‘out of sight, out of mind’. To subsidize an ‘Island-Only’ interprovincial air travel loop is outrageous. Did the Liberals think that we wouldn’t notice that they left us out of the loop again? This, while Labradorians continue to suffer under limited travel options and sky-high prices. I just spoke with a Goose Bay resident who has to travel next week to St. John’s, and their air travel will cost them $1,427.  This is rubbing salt in our wounds,” said Evans.

Evans noted that Labradorians are routinely forced to travel by air for medical appointments, work, and school sports competitions. This government continues to treat us as second-class citizens, but we know that we are just as good as residents on the island part of this province and deserve to be treated as such.

“Numerous stakeholders, including the Labrador North Chamber of Commerce, the Labrador West Chamber of Commerce, airport authorities, and municipalities have been advocating for years for improved, efficient and affordable air travel to and from Labrador. I was shocked to hear the CEO of the Goose Bay Airport Authority say he has been unable to get an answer to their various proposals. This is an insult to all Labradorians.”

Evans congratulated the municipalities on the island who will benefit from the agreement, but questioned why Labrador has been ignored again.

“I celebrate anything that improves air access in the province, but everyone should get the same treatment. I also question the Liberal government subsidizing seats to international destinations when Labradorians cannot afford to travel for critical medical appointments, work, or pleasure. This shows the Liberals’ priorities – they certainly don’t include Labrador.”

-30-