The Quebec-Labrador Border. What impacts in terms of regional development in the North
At a time where State borders seem to disappear under the weight of free trade treaties, the border between Quebec and Labrador raises various issues and challenges for the development of Northern Quebec and Labrador itself. Erected in 1927, following the jugment of the London Private Council, this interprovincial boundary is partly contested by the Government of Quebec. In addition, it remains « the only Interstate border in the Americas not being clearly delineated on the ground by any physical element ». This situation is problematic insofar as the huge mineral deposit of the Labrador trough ends up straddling the border. Despite the interconnection of road and rail networks as well as the free movement of goods and persons, the border introduces the coexistence of two different legal and fiscal regimes. The border sectors of Schefferville-Menihek, Labrador-City―Fermont and Blanc-Sablon―L’Anse-au-clair live the daily consequences of geopolitics. In this context, our paper aims to discuss the effects of the existence of this border on the development of resources and the people of the North. Is this a line largely imaginary having little impact on the lives of the citizens and the practices of institutions and the companies? On the contrary, can we identify commercial leak or tax avoidance strategies of socio-economic agents? In general, can we describe the land border between Quebec and Newfoundland-and-Labrador as being a serious limit to an integrated regional development policy in the North of the Quebec-Labrador peninsula? We have tried to answer these questions using the field visits and interviews with local actors. Our results illustrate a complex reality made as much exchanges, partnerships that competition and duplication of services.