Gros Morne National Park explores expanding northward

Gros Morne National Park is looking into expanding its northern boundary, but at least one mayor in the area isn't sure being inside the park is what people will want.

The park is located in western Newfoundland and is known around the world for its spectacular views and as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) world heritage site.

The current boundaries of the park take in communities from Wiltondale to Trout River on the south side of Bonne Bay, and as far north as Cow Head.

Daniel's Harbour Mayor Ross Humber said he's met with Parks Canada and was told the proposed expansion for Gros Morne would extend the park boundary to just north of his town.

Parks Canada also met with representatives from Parson's Pond and Portland Creek.

Humber said he was surprised to learn the idea to extend the boundary of the park came from the office of Long Range Mountains MP Gudie Hutchings.

He said Hutchings's office had not consulted with the communities directly and believes the right course of action would be to put the matter to a vote by residents because it's something that would affect people in the area for generations to come.

"It's not my decision to make," said Humber. "You're talking about a lifetime decision here."

Protecting a way of life 

Humber said he would need to know more about the implications for his town's residents before he could say that he's for or against the idea.

At this point, he said, he feels the information being provided is very vague, and rationale being given is that it would be in the interest of preservation and conservation.

The government of Canada has set a goal of conserving 30 per cent of the country's land and water by 2030.

Humber said he's concerned about what being in the national park would mean for continued access to traditional activities, such as hunting, fishing and woodcutting, as well as for cabin owners and snowmobilers.

He said that's the sort of sentiment he's already hearing from people as word has spread about Parks Canada's interest in expansion.

"Most people living in rural areas are outdoor-style people," said Humber. "They're used to going in back to a pond and catching a feed of trout. They're used to going and cutting wood in a certain area. They're used to jumping on their quad or snowmobile and going off."

Humber said older residents can recall when Gros Morne National Park was in the process of being established in the early 1970s and the limitations it placed on local people in the communities included at that time.

Based on that, he said, some immediate reaction to the current proposal has been mostly negative.

Humber also said the area north of the current park boundary has a thriving outfitting industry and he's concerned what being inside a national park would mean for those businesses.

Only just begun

Parks Canada did not make anyone available for an interview with CBC News. In an email, spokesperson Robyn Hufnagel confirmed that Parks Canada has started "preliminary discussions" with communities and stakeholders in the region to determine if expanding Gros Morne National Park might be of interest.

"National park boundaries may be expanded for multiple reasons, including local interest, desire for enhanced protection, or underrepresentation of natural regions in the national park systems plan," the Parks Canada statement reads.

Parks Canada also didn't respond to CBC's inquiry about Hutchings's involvement in initiating the proposed expansion.

Humber said Parks Canada has not provided a timeline for the proposed expansion, but he is expecting park officials to visit his area to provide information directly to local people.

Hutchings's office didn't respond to interview requests from CBC News over the last week. Instead, her office sent a brief emailed statement Tuesday morning.

"Minister Hutchings supports expansion of the park; however, the minister of environment and climate change is responsible for the park and any decision on this matter," the statement reads.

"There is a process in place to give people a chance to make sure their voices are heard, offer comments and suggestions, to ensure Indigenous communities, provincial and local governments, partner organizations and residents in the region are consulted."

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