Service set to open in Happy Valley-Goose Bay in early 2027

Ottawa's plans to bring biometrics collection services to Labrador next year have one woman saying it’s a game changer.

Most people seeking immigration to Canada need to provide biometrics as part of Canada's immigration policy, which includes fingerprints and a photograph. No services to collect these are currently available in Labrador, forcing people to travel for them.

In late September, federal Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Lena Diab announced a new biometrics site will be opened in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The Newfoundland and Labrador government said last week it is set to open in the spring of 2027.

Erma Nardon, president of the Filipino Association of Goose Bay-Labrador, said it's an amazing development for the region.

"[The announcement] blew my mind. Because having biometric services available closer to home is more than just a convenience. It removes a significant financial burden for the newcomers,” Nardon told CBC Radio’s Labrador Morning.

Nardon said the process is much more than just making an appointment. It's taking time off work, paying for flights to places like St. John's or Halifax, accommodations, meals and other expenses.

She said people incur heavy costs for an appointment that usually takes 15 minutes, and that travel out of Labrador isn't always guaranteed because of weather conditions.

“It's kind of stressful,” said Nardon, who is now a Canadian citizen. She said the service coming to Happy Valley-Goose Bay is a “huge relief.”

Nardon expects the decision will also make immigrants feel more welcome in the region and encourage them to stay and build their lives there.

“I know there's a lot of newcomers and they wanted to move, they wanted to go closer where… all the services [are] just around the corner,” Nardon said.

She credits Labrador MP Philip Earle for making the announcement a reality. The Filipino community met with him during his election campaign, she said, highlighting the lack of biometrics services in the region as a major concern.

“He listened to our concerns and made sure that our voices were heard at the federal level,” Nardon said.

In a news release last week, Labrador Affairs Minister Lela Evans highlighted the challenges of accessing services in Labrador and said the implementation of biometrics services makes access easier.

“The addition of biometrics collection services in Happy Valley-Goose Bay is a practical improvement that will save individuals time and money while making immigration services more accessible," reads the statement.

Biometrics services coming to Goose Bay ‘huge relief’ for newcomers, says Labrador woman