Relocation of Davis Inlet to Sango Bay

The Minister of Environment and Labour, Oliver Langdon, announced today that the relocation of Utshimassits (Davis Inlet) to Natuashish (Sango Bay) has been released from further assessment under the Environmental Assessment Act.

The undertaking was registered with the department on June 5, 1997. More than 30 background and feasibility studies were prepared in connection with the proposal. The registration document has undergone a government and public review. The decision to release the project from further assessment enables the Innu community of Utshimassits (Davis Inlet) to be moved to Natuashish, (Sango Bay) subject to the proponent acquiring all the necessary permits and meeting the requirements of those permits.

Sango Bay is located approximately 295 km north of Happy Valley/Goose Bay and 15 km west of Davis Inlet on the mainland coast of Labrador. Construction of the new community will be carried out over a six year period, from 1997 to 2002 and will include the townsite and all supporting infrastructure, such as roads, an airstrip and a wharf.

Contact: Sean Kelly, Director of Communications, (709) 729-2575.