Following the discovery of asbestos at the Labrador Correctional Centre, construction work on expansion and renovations was halted, prompting inmate David Millie to call for more communication and testing. Millie expressed concerns about potential asbestos exposure and the health risks, noting that inmates have not been informed about the levels of asbestos or their safety. Asbestos, identified in material brought into the prison’s carving shop, has led to abatement efforts in the shop and adjacent areas. The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure confirmed compliance with occupational health and safety standards, stating it is safe for occupancy, except for the kitchen, where results were inconclusive, leading to its sealing and external food provision. The Department of Justice and Public Safety assured that ongoing testing supports safe occupancy, and plans for an information session for inmates and staff were outlined in a letter to the inmate committee. Millie, an Inuk stone carver, emphasized the need for transparency and safe materials in the carving shop, which serves as therapeutic and financial support for inmates. The provincial government plans to reopen the carving shop in a standalone facility with additional Indigenous programming this fall.

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