Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland, and Parks Canada Policies

Abstract

Gros Morne, one of Canada's newer national parks, covers over 1,900 km2 of exceptionally scenic country on the west coast of Newfoundland. However, the Park was initiated by the provincial government mainly for economic reasons rather than for the value of its natural heritage—particularly to stimulate development in an area of high unemployment. To some degree, this has been achieved—but not without considerable cost, as the area is one of long-established settlement and utilization. Most of the settlements were excluded from the Park, but some were not, and in spite of resident opposition, all but one of these has now been removed.There has been equally strong opposition to restrictions on traditional semi-subsistence activities. Such measures were in line with existing Parks Canada policies in the early 1970s, but by the time the formal Park agreement was signed in 1973, a number of important changes had occurred. Following opposition such as was met in Gros Morne, and the creation of new parks in areas inhabited by native peoples, more recent Parks Canada policy statements indicate some relaxation of previously rigid positions. Thus certain semi-subsistence activities are continuing in the Park. The situation is not so clear as regards settlements within parks, though people are now being encouraged to move rather than being forced to leave. The possible eventual removal of Sally's Cove, the only settlement remaining strictly within the Park, is difficult to reconcile with policies that place increasing emphasis on Man-land relationships and the cultural heritage.Gros Morne provides an opportunity for Parks Canada to foster a viable community within the Park, based on a traditional Newfoundland culture and consistent with the pertinent parts of its 1979 policy statement. This would be much more in keeping with the natural and cultural heritage than the urban-type recreational facilities that are being built or considered for the Park.

Insights into the perceived impact of park creation on the lives of local residents within Gros Morne National Park

“…Gros Morne National Park was established in a region of long-standing settlement and resource use (Crabb, 1981). Thus, it was not surprising that conflicts arose between local residents and park authorities.…”

“…Thus, it was not surprising that conflicts arose between local residents and park authorities. Crabb (1981) suggested that there were two distinct areas of conflict due to Parks Canada policies: the actual settlements and the traditional semisubsistence use of the land.…”

“…Although the first "Memorandum of Agreement" for Gros Morne National Park, informed by Parks Canada's policies written in the 1960s, foresaw the elimination of settlements within the park boundaries, significant policy changes took place before the 1973 signing of the federal-provincial agreement to establish the park (Crabb, 1981). An April 1970 proposal by the Newfoundland government recommended that all families living between Rocky Harbour and Cow Head be removed.…”

“…Between the 1970 proposal and the 1973 agreement to establish the park, Kluane, Nahanni and Auquittuq National Parks were created in 1972 with the promise that the traditional use by the aboriginal people of the fish and wildlife resources in these northern parks would not be affected (Crabb, 1981;McCleave, 2008). The 1973 federal-provincial agreement to establish Gros Morne National Park created several enclave communities (Cow Head, St. Paul's, Rocky Harbour, Norris Point, Glenburnie/Birchy Head/Shoal Brook, Woody Point and Trout River), which excluded most of the region's settlements from the park.…”

“…Their lifestyle was changed and the residents had to adjust to new regulations that came with being adjacent to a protected area as well as an influx of tourists (Kukac, 2009). A major issue for the enclave communities was limits on growth imposed by the park boundaries (Crabb, 1981).…”