Community Profile
Due to its strategic location, Goose Bay was established as a Royal Canadian Air Force Station in 1942. The U.S. Air Force established a presence at Goose Bay at the same time. Happy Valley grew as a nearby civilian community. Given their proximity to each other and growth in subsequent years, the two towns were amalgamated in 1975. While U.S. activity at the Base declined after 1976, flight training activity increased significantly, resulting in the signing of a Multinational Memorandum of Understanding (MMOU) in 1986 (see
Industry Profile: Low Level Flying). The demographic profile of the town is the most diverse in the Province, consisting of Canadians, Aboriginals (Inuit, Innu and Métis), Europeans (British, Germans and Dutch) and Americans.
The Gateway to the North
Happy Valley-Goose Bay is strategically located with respect to northern air routes between Western Europe, the Arctic and North America. It is an established venue for international low level flight training and, because of its high quality infrastructure, is an alternate NASA Space Shuttle landing site.
Consumer and business confidence in the town is high due to the renewal of the 1986 MMOU in 1996; the arrival of the Italian Air Forces in 2000; potential development of Voisey’s Bay and the Lower Churchill; upgrading of the Trans Labrador Highway; and changes to Base management by the
Department of National Defence (DND).
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| Community Indicators |
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Town |
Province |
| Population (1996) |
8,655 |
551,795 |
| Population Components¹ (1996) |
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| School Age Children |
23% |
21% |
| Prime Labour Force (ages 20-54) |
59% |
53% |
| Seniors |
4% |
11% |
| Education Attainment² (1996) |
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| Completed post secondary |
48% |
40% |
| High school/some post secondary |
13% |
15% |
| Less than high school |
39% |
45% |
| Income (1998) |
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| Median personal income |
$20,900 |
$14,700 |
| Average family income |
$47,900 |
$36,500 |
1. Selected population components only.
2. Educational attainment of the population age 15+.
Source: Community Accounts database |
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In 1997, DND outsourced maintenance and support functions of the Base to a private sector service provider
(SERCo). While some job losses were incurred, this move strengthened the local private sector, reduced overall Base costs, improved productivity, and Goose Bay’s ability to compete.
The town is the termination point for the Trans Labrador Highway linking central Labrador to Labrador West and is the only location in Labrador containing high quality road, sea and air infrastructure. The town serves as a vital link for marine service to the coast of Labrador as well as for mining exploration, fisheries and tourism in the region.
Happy Valley-Goose Bay offers a range of commercial, professional and government services and is a participant in Smart Communities Program of Industry Canada (Smart Labrador: Technology on Top of the World). As well, Memorial University maintains a research and communication institute (the Labrador Institute of Northern Studies) in the town. |
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Photo: Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay
The Amaruk Golf and Sports Club at Happy Valley-Goose Bay. This 9-hole golf course is one of two in Labrador. |
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