10 DEEEPER ROOTS TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

In 1996, Port Hope Simpson was granted the status of a Canadian town under the municipalities act of the government of Newfoundland. Manufacturing industry had been developed by men like Simon Strugnall, who had now diversified into logging from boat-building. Two large–scale injections of federal and provincial money meant that long-term government developments for Port Hope Simpson and its area were underway. The huge construction works of The Trans-Labrador Highway; the new Port Hope Simpson bridge (built by a Manchester-based firm in Britain and shipped over) and the airport on the outskirts of town (part of an overall government programme for other communities along the coast) with scheduled passenger and freight service to St Anthony and Happy Valley-Goose Bay had done much to improve accessibility. With increased ease of access, trips for tourists were now being provided to such attractions as the restored salt-fish, salmon and seal processing station at Battle Harbour, icebergs and whale watching.
However, the most relatively recent local, small scale, bottom–up initiatives have taken place in the tertiary sector. This type of development has the great advantages that since the local people are its architects they can better tailor it to their own needs.
A long overdue, D C Young all-grade, inter–denominational school had been built. Levels of literacy had increased and adult education had developed. More people had achieved vocational and trade qualifications and service occupations outside the fishery. The “Moulder of Dreams” pottery studio provided gainful employment for people with special needs. The growth of hotel, apartment and bed & breakfast accommodation has helped provide for the increased number of people able to visit the area as well as help keep money within the local community.
In March 2002 the town had been named as the site for a central regional airport for south eastern Labrador and plans were also afoot for further harbour development. In July 2002 it was noticeable that urbanisation had spread significantly since 1970 as new roads had been driven through and link roads established with the Trans-Labrador Highway and the town's airport. Many self-help and public tertiary work schemes had been started – up, including new general stores and a fire brigade. The offices of mayor and town council were leading by example in the community, organising events and playing crucial roles in helping to motivate others towards making their town a better place in which to live.
A well - used community centre hosted the town council offices, as well as businesses, meetings, social events, dances and work organisations such as the south east Labrador aurora development association. The Port Hope Simpson medical clinic, fire services and other utilities were now based permanently in the town. Internet access was available from the DC Young School. Roads continued to be re–graded. Many cars and lorries had been purchased, and men stayed overnight and longer bringing freight into town. Snow and drainage ditches had been cleaned out and a new sewerage system was being laid. A snow plough stood ready and waiting for winter and the whole place had a sense of direction and purpose that wasn't just down to preparations going on for the Access North Port Hope Simpson Coming Home 2002 celebrations. The needs of different age groups were well-catered for by a learning centre, a youth centre, a family resources centre, home care program and senior social. Other development indicators were fund-raising activities events in the community which also doubled up as tourist attractions. Examples were the Sno - Blast, Easter Festival and the Annual Festival of Friends, the Coming Home celebrations and how certain buildings such as the Anglican School had been adapted to a storage space for a local business enterprise. Getting to and from the town had never been easier, as visitors just dropped in to go fishing or for a wilderness vacation. But one factor stood out head and shoulders above all others in explaining the direction that development was taking at Port Hope Simpson - the character of the Labradorians and Newfoundlanders themselves. Their spirit is free and their friendship a privilege.