Canadian Armed Forces to investigate possible unexploded munition in Labrador

HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY – A team of explosives experts with the Canadian Armed Forces is on its way to Labrador, where police say a possible unexploded military ordinance was found in the Churchill River.

Officials said personnel at the 5 Wing Goose Bay base in Happy Valley-Goose Bay first discovered the object, which is partially buried in sediment in the river, close to a vacant property. Police believe it’s an unexploded military ordnance, but they are waiting on the expert team to make that call, said RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey in an email.

Maj. Trevor Ackland with the Joint Rescue Coordination Center in Halifax said the team is expected in the coming days, but the timing depends on whether there is transportation available for dangerous goods.

“The team must transport specialized equipment required for (unexploded ordnance) disposal operations, including explosives” he said.

In the meantime, police are monitoring the object and they’ve let nearby residents know what’s going on, O’Donaghey said.

Happy Valley-Goose Bay is on the banks of the Churchill River in central Labrador, and it is home to about 8,000 people.

This is at least the second time this year that someone has found possible munitions in Newfoundland and Labrador. In May, RCMP said someone found a “historic military munition” on a western Newfoundland beach. The Canadian Armed Forces were also called in that instance to dispose of the explosive.

At the time, O’Donaghey pointed to Newfoundland and Labrador’s extensive military history and said munitions from former battles have been found in many parts of the province.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 3, 2026.