Government of Canada Invests in Gros Morne National Park
News release
Federal infrastructure funding improves roads and bridges
June 20, 2018 Rocky Harbour, NL Parks Canada Agency
The Government is committed to protecting our national parks, while providing opportunities for Canadians to discover and connect with nature.
The Government of Canada is investing approximately $27.5 million in federal infrastructure funding for several key projects in Gros Morne National Park. The announcement was made today by Gudie Hutchings, Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna.
This federal funding will support emergency infrastructure repairs to roadways, bridges and visitor facilities following the significant flooding event that occurred in the park in January 2018. Visitor and public safety is a priority for Parks Canada and these repairs along highways 430 and 431 – both of which being key connectors for local communities and visitors to the park – are critical for these important transportation corridors. With the visitor season underway, completing repairs to damaged trails, along with the Mill Brook day-use area, are important for ensuring visitors can discover and connect with this treasured place.
Similar investments are also being made for other planned bridge work projects that will contribute to safe, reliable, and high-quality access to Gros Morne National Park for visitors and community members alike. For example, the replacement of Dick’s Brook and Rocky Barachois bridges, along Highway 430, will ensure the safety of all motorists on this important roadway. In addition, the recent repairs to the Trout River Bridge will provide improved visitor access to Trout River Campground. Through infrastructure investments, Parks Canada is protecting and preserving our treasured places, while supporting local economies, contributing to growth in the tourism sector, and strengthening their appeal as destinations to celebrate our nation.
Following the largest consultation ever on Parks Canada, through the Minister’s Round Table, Minister McKenna has put forward her priorities for Parks Canada. Gros Morne National Park is an excellent example of Parks Canada’s efforts to protect and restore our natural spaces and enable Canadians to discover and connect with nature. Gros Morne also helps sustain the local economy and tourism sector. Investments in infrastructure directly respond to the feedback of Canadians related to improving the state of built infrastructure in national parks and historic sites.
Millions of Canadians – more than ever before – visited Parks Canada places in 2017 and created lasting memories, thanks to free admission during Canada 150 celebrations. In 2018 and beyond, Parks Canada will make discovering nature and connecting with our history easier and more affordable for families, by providing free admission for youth aged 17 and under and new Canadians.
Quotes
“Through these investments in Gros Morne National Park, the Government of Canada is ensuring safe, high-quality, and reliable visitor facilities, providing opportunities for more Canadians, especially youth, to experience the outdoors and learn about our environment and heritage. Following the devastating floods that occurred in the park, we are making the safety of our visitors and neighbouring communities a priority by completing these necessary repairs as quickly as possible. There is no better place to be than Gros Morne National Park. I invite Canadian families to take advantage of free admission to Parks Canada places for youth and new Canadians and to visit us this summer for an experience they will never forget.”
Gudie Hutchings
Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains
Quick facts
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Gros Morne Mountain, the park’s namesake, is the second highest peak on the island of Newfoundland. The trail which traverses the mountain is named after former British Prime Minister James Callaghan in recognition of his conservation efforts. The flat summit is a slice of alpine tundra, far south of its usual range and is home to a variety of species including the rock ptarmigan, Arctic hare, and woodland caribou.
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Gros Morne National Park is 1,805 square kilometres of wilderness on Newfoundland’s west coast. It stretches inland from the Gulf of St. Lawrence coastline, through lowlands where waterways snake towards the Long Range Mountains and Tablelands. The flora and fauna are an exceptional mixture of temperate, boreal, and Arctic-alpine. Natural beauty and a unique, geological showcase earned Gros Morne UNESCO World Heritage status in 1987.
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Parks Canada is investing an unprecedented $3 billion over 5 years to support infrastructure work to heritage, tourism, waterway, and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas across Canada. This investment will ensure these cherished places are protected and secured for the future.
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Contacts
Caroline Thériault
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
caroline.theriault2@canada.ca
Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca