Newfoundland's west coast could be getting a new town — the province's first in 6 years

Two local service districts on Newfoundland's west coast are making the case to become the province's newest town.

According to a decision note released as part of an access-to-information request, in September 2022, Three Rock Cove and Mainland, which are located on the Port au Port Peninsula, requested the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs carry out a feasibility study on incorporation.

In March 2024, L.W. Consulting concluded its feasibility study, stating that committee members were interested in pursuing incorporation for a number of reasons, including revenue that could be brought in through taxation, land use planning and regional economic development.

"The feasibility study notes a high level of approval for incorporation among residents, based on successful collaboration such as on community clean ups," said the decision note.

The feasibility study — which was not released as part of the documents — found there was support in the community for incorporation. It also noted the population for both communities had decreased in the recent census. 

According to the Statistics Canada census in 2021, Three Rock Cove has a population of 121 and Mainland has 277.

The documents also state that on July 22 there was a meeting between Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs officials and committee members of Mainland and Three Rock Cove, where they were scheduled to discuss developing a municipal plan and a decision to incorporate.

Mainland administrative clerk Taunya Murchison refused an interview with CBC News.

The communities are in an area that has been economically depressed for years but has recently gained attention as a region for a wind development project. World Energy GH2 plans to build more than 300 wind turbines on the Port au Port Peninsula and Codroy Valley, as well as a hydrogen-ammonia plant in Stephenville.

Decision before minister

The provincial government defines a local service district is an area that is administered by a committee consisting of five to seven elected people. It can also provide services like water supply, sewer systems, fire services, garbage collection, street lighting, animal control, as well as snow clearing and some road maintenance.

Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs spokesperson Sara Rideout explained some of the benefits that come with a local service district becoming a municipality, including the authority to carry out land use planning and being able to get revenue through taxation and fees.

"Since 2018, there has been one local service district that has incorporated to become a town," she told CBC News in a statement on behalf of the department.

Rideout, citing the Municipalities Act, 1999, said a local service district can kick-start the process of becoming a municipality by submitting a request for a feasibility study to the department.

If it's supported by the minister, then a ministerial notice of intent is issued, followed by the department working with the local service district to carry out a study, she added.

If the results of that study support becoming a municipality, the local service district can contact the minister to ask for incorporation.

"Should the minister agree with the report and any potential recommendations within it, it will become a decision of the provincial government," Rideout wrote.

Michelle Hunt-Grouchy, the department's director of communications, told CBC News the department was still examining the feasibility study.

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