This letter is in response to an article that the ODN published about Linda Larson’s stance regarding the proposed national park for the South Okanagan/Similkameen valleys.

Many people, including our MLA, have been saying that a National Park in our backyard would be insignificant and provide little or no benefits for the permanent residents of the South Okanagan/Similkameen. Linda Larson has been quoted, as saying: “…. that a National Park would be have a negative impact with more job loss than jobs gained when everything is considered like potential mining opportunities.” Our MLA goes on to say that: “……tourists come for the lush green fields of tree fruits and grapes, hiking and biking, the wineries and agriculture including ranching – year round industry with tourism being but for a brief period in the summer.”

I have had the good fortune to visit an east coast national park called Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland. I am writing to tell you what I learned and what I want to share about why we MUST HAVE the national park.

The region and the communities close to and inside the national park in Newfoundland bear a striking resemblance to our South Okanagan/Similkameen region in that that they are relatively low in population, have been experiencing difficult economic times and do not compare well with other parts of Canada when matters of family incomes and employment are considered using Stats Canada data.

Just over 20 years ago, the Government of Canada established a national park in the west coast region of Newfoundland. Tourism went from being a fairly insignificant part of the economy of that region to becoming its No. 1 employment provider and an economy enriching enhancement for what was once one of the poorest regions in Canada.

According to a report (for 2011 – 2014) by the RED Ochre Regional Board, the last twenty years has seen that region’s tourism industry double with 186,000 plus annual visitors each year. That is definitely worthy of note in terms of it being an economy booster and a job opportunity enhancer that we could do with in our region. We have the raw materials in terms of people, mountains, valleys, history and wildlife. We have the potential to develop as one of major tourism attractions in British Columbia with adventure tourism, hiking and climbing, interpretive programming, bird and wildlife watching, craft production not to mention the provision of accommodation and food services.

According to the Red Ochre Regional Board Strategic Plan for 2011-2014, Gros Morne National Park (and area) tourism provides employment for 1,580 tourism/service workers in retail sectors that benefit from tourist visits. There were only 390 tourism/service workers in 1992.

The Tourism Industry value is now worth $45 million annually for the Gros Morne area.
There are 150 plus direct and indirect businesses in the tourism/service sector In the Gros Morne National Park area. The annual visitation rate has almost doubled, increasing from 100,000 to 186,000.

As well as a greatly enhanced infrastructure, they now have 13 motels and inns (nine of which have the capacity to host conferences), 57 bed and breakfast establishments, seven coffee shops, 22 craft stores/shops, six boat tour companies, 12 outfitters (hunting and fishing), 10 private RV parks and 32 restaurants.

Based on this example and information, it is imperative that our municipal, provincial and federal politicians, chambers of commerce and town councils get on board and support the establishment of a national park in our region as soon as possible.

What are we waiting for? I am writing this for residents of the South Okanagan and Similkameen, for tourists, for our children and grandchildren.

Stefan Cieslik