Parks Canada celebrates the 50th anniversary of Gros Morne National Park

The event marks fifty years of collaboration, conservation, and connection to this place of wonder, adventure, and inspiration

ROCKY HARBOUR, NL, Aug. 14, 2023 /CNW/ - On Sunday, August 13, the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains, Newfoundland and Labrador, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, participated in an Official Ceremony commemorating the 50^th anniversary of the signing of the Federal-Provincial Agreement to establish Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The event was attended by many dignitaries including the Right Honourable Jean Chrétien, former Prime Minister of Canada; Chief Mi'sel Joe of Miawpukek First Nation; Chief Brendan Mitchell of Qalipu First Nation; Gerry Byrne, Newfoundland and Labrador's Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills; mayors from Gros Morne National Park enclave communities; Shirley Montague, Chair of the Gros Morne Cooperating Association; and Ron Hallman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Parks Canada. The ceremony concluded with area mayors signing an agreement to work together on a collaborative regional approach to tourism which will serve as a foundation for the next 50 years.

Gros Morne National Park, internationally recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is marking its 50^th anniversary milestone with a series of celebrations planned in collaboration with Indigenous partners, local communities, and others over the course of the entire year. This 50^th anniversary year provides an opportunity for reflection ? on shared accomplishments, lessons from the past, and the way forward, as we lay a foundation for the next 50 years.

"Parks Canada administered places, like Gros Morne National Park, represent the very best that Canada has to offer and tell stories of who we are, including the stories, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples. For fifty years, the passionate teams at Gros Morne National Park, in collaboration and partnership with Miawpukek First Nation, Qalipu First Nation, the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the surrounding communities, have made significant conservation gains and delivered exemplary experiences to thousands of visitors from here and abroad. Congratulations on fifty years of collaboration and conservation!"

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

"Today Gros Morne is an international destination, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and together with local communities, tourism businesses, Indigenous and other partners we welcome, and together, share the stories of this place, our home, with over a quarter of a million visitors annually. "

The Honourable Gudie Hutchings
Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains, Newfoundland and Labrador

"Parks Canada truly is one of the oldest and finest conservation organizations in the world. With a network of awe-inspiring national historic sites, national marine conservation areas and national parks, like Gros Morne, Parks Canada continues to deliver high-quality, meaningful, and memorable experiences to millions of visitors across the country every year. Congratulations to the teams at Gros Morne National Park and their numerous partners for fifty years of excellence!"

Ron Hallman
President and Chief Executive Officer, Parks Canada

Quick facts

• Gros Morne National Park was established on August 13, 1973, protecting the ecological integrity of the Western Newfoundland Highlands natural region and an eastern portion of the St. Lawrence Lowlands natural region.
• Gros Morne National Park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987 for its exceptional natural beauty and outstanding examples of major stages in the earth's geological evolution, illustrated by geological formations protected within the park.
• Gros Morne National Park's natural and cultural heritage has been protected, presented, and celebrated by area residents, international researchers and scientists, travel writers, artists, and visitors from all over the world. It is a very special place that belongs to all Canadians, and its significance resonates for many people locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

Related Links

• Gros Morne National Park
• Parks Canada

SOURCE Parks Canada