Ottawa gives Gros Morne tourism a $3.7M boost

Ottawa gives Gros Morne tourism a $3.7M boost

Carney makes weekend stop in Newfoundland, encourages national park visits using the Canada Strong Pass

A significant expansion to a farmers' market in Norris Point, N.L. is part of the visible changes residents may notice in 2027, after federal funding for tourism projects in the Gros Morne National Park area.

"It's starting to seem really real to us now," Colleen Kennedy, with the Gros Morne Cooperating Association, told CBC's Newfoundland Morning after the announcement.

Of $3.7 million in funding, just over $2 million will flow to the association for a culinary and cultural hub in Norris Point. The hub will involve an expansion of an existing farmers' market, including the addition of a commercial kitchen, and support for local farmers to provide more food for the market.

Kennedy said the hope is to begin construction this fall and open before the end of next season.

Tourists want to eat local produce, Kennedy says

Agricultural products shipped to the area aren't as fresh, Kennedy said, given the travel time. She said that's an issue for residents, and also for businesses that want to impress the wave of tourists arriving each year.

Kennedy said tourists are often seeking "that food piece" of the tourism experience, but she said one of the challenges for businesses is purchasing fresh produce close to home.

She said the market expansion is part of a larger push to get more locally-grown produce available for purchase in the area.

"People are looking for that now. 'What do you grow here? How do you grow it? How do you serve it?'" she said.

Gros Morne Farm and Market owner Laurie Haycock is looking forward to having more space to showcase local producers and products.

"And it does mean a lot to people. It means they don't feel like they're wasting their money ... and it's important to keep your money local," she said.

Carney visits Gros Morne National Park

Haycock is hoping the new facilities will enable an extended season, as well as more events — including workshops in which residents can participate.

MP Kody Blois, the parliamentary secretary to the prime minister, was in Gros Morne to announce the funding on Thursday.

He acknowledged the distance that food typically travels to get to Gros Morne.

"We're under no illusion that the food hub that's being announced today is absolutely going to transform or absolutely change that dynamic, but if the more local product that can be produced here when available, [and] retailed as part of a tourist asset — but also made available to the local residents year-round when applicable — we think that's a win," he told CBC News.

A separate federal contribution of a little more than $715,000 will go to the same organization towards the development of tourism products and marketing for the area. As well, $1 million will flow to the Gros Morne Institute for Sustainable Tourism for tourism-related training and development.

Prime Minister Mark Carney also visited Gros Morne National Park on Friday. He called the area "incroyable."

"I've wanted to come to Gros Morne for so long, and now I'm finally here," Carney said, speaking briefly with reporters in Rocky Harbour.

He said he'll be staying for the weekend, doing some hiking and sightseeing.

Carney took the opportunity to highlight the Canada Strong Pass, which is not a physical pass. People can simply visit any participating Parks Canada locations to get free admission or discounts up until Sept. 7.

"Visit Canada, enjoy Canada," he said.

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