On the Order:

Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Sorensen, calling the attention of the Senate to the nation-building value of tourism in Canada.

Hon. Iris G. Petten: Honourable senators:

It’s spring on the island

The ice is in the bay

And the weather’s getting warmer now

Soon be drifting away . . . .

I begin my speech on the inquiry into the nation-building value of tourism in Canada with lyrics from the song “Spring on the Island” by Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers, which is quite apt given that the tulip festival begins in Ottawa this weekend.

At first glance, tourism may appear to be an economic driver, an industry measured in visitor numbers, hotel stays and seasonal employment. It is certainly that. In Newfoundland and Labrador, there are 2,300 businesses involved in tourism, arts and culture, which employ over 23,000 people. But to stop at its economic value is to miss the deeper cultural impact of tourism. Tourism in Canada is not merely transactional. It is transformational. It builds bridges between regions, preserves culture and strengthens our shared national identity.

Nowhere is this more evident than at the eastern edge of our country.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, we are known for our warm and welcoming nature, for being quick with a story — as we know from Senator Manning’s statements in this very chamber — and ready with a laugh.

That reputation is not accidental. It is rooted in generations of resilience and creativity, shaped by our history on the edge of North America. From English, Irish, French and Indigenous traditions, we have built a culture that is truly one of a kind.

When visitors come to our province, they are not just sightseeing. They are stepping into a living culture. They hear it in our dialects, see it in our colourful architecture and feel it in the rhythms of our communities.

Then there is the land itself.

Our province is home to breathtaking natural beauty: dramatic coastlines, ancient rock formations, sweeping barrens and dense boreal forests. It is a place where icebergs drift by in the spring, where whales breach offshore and where caribou roam vast, untamed landscapes.

Icebergs play a huge role in shaping the identity of Newfoundland and Labrador. Every spring, they drift down from glaciers in Greenland and the Canadian Arctic, passing along the province’s coast in a route often called Iceberg Alley. Twillingate, Senator Ravalia’s hometown, is widely known as the “Iceberg Capital of the World.” These towering formations draw visitors who come to witness what some describe as “cathedrals of ice.”

Their importance goes beyond beauty. Icebergs support local tourism, inspire tools like Iceberg Finder to track their movement and connect deeply to history, especially through exhibits in St. John’s that tell the story of the sinking of the RMS Titanic.

They have even been celebrated nationally, appearing on a Canada Post stamp featuring the coastline near Ferryland. Altogether, icebergs are not just a natural wonder in this province. They are a powerful symbol of its culture, history and connection to the sea.

Protected areas, such as Gros Morne National Park, which, as we know, was on the cover of the 2025 Speech from the Throne, Terra Nova National Park and Torngat Mountains National Park, are not only destinations. They are expressions of our commitment to stewardship. They remind us that nation building is not only about people but also about the land we share and must protect.

Tourism plays a vital role in sustaining rural and remote communities across Newfoundland and Labrador. It creates opportunities where few alternatives exist. It supports small businesses, artisans, guides and storytellers. It allows young people to see a future in their home communities rather than feeling they must leave to find opportunities elsewhere.

However, perhaps most importantly, tourism connects Canadians to one another.

In my hometown of Port de Grave, which is a small rural fishing community, tourism is a vital economic and cultural driver. Since December 1999, a committed team of locals has organized Christmas in the Harbour, featuring the lighting of 50 to 70 fishing boats from mid-December to early January. What began as a community event has become a beacon of light to thousands of tourists who visit this awesome spectacle.

The Port de Grave Peninsula website outlines how far-reaching this event is, hosted by a community of fewer than 1,000 people:

. . . It has been showcased on CBC, CBC National with Peter Mansbridge, & Global National. In 2014 Land and Sea did the show “A Gift of Light,” [which] has been aired almost every year since. The Navigator, the Downhome Magazine, in-flight magazine on the American Airlines United Airlines, the Times in England, plus numerous other news papers and websites. Photos have been taken by professionals [and] amateurs [alike] . . . .

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The Boat Lighting in Port de Grave reflects how tourism is fuelled by people who love the places they are from and want to share their love for their homes and cultures with others.

Organizations like Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador, or Hospitality NL, continue to play an important role in supporting the people and businesses at the heart of our tourism industry. Through its advocacy, training and industry leadership, Hospitality NL plays a vital role in strengthening local communities and ensuring visitors experience the warmth, authenticity and world-class hospitality the province is known for. Initiatives like the shed party reflect that spirit, bringing people together to celebrate music, food and tradition while also showcasing how collaboration within the tourism sector can create memorable, economy-driving experiences. Hospitality NL will be playing a vital role in the shed party that will take place — mark your calendars — on October 28.

I hope to hear from all colleagues on this inquiry, but especially from members of the newly established All-Atlantic Senators’ Group. For colleagues’ awareness, we will be announcing our executive committee tomorrow, and it will include senators from all the Atlantic provinces and all recognized groups in the Senate. I hope we can use opportunities like this inquiry to bring attention to our unique and beautiful Atlantic regions.

Honourable colleagues, in a country as vast and diverse as Canada, bringing people together is an ongoing project. It requires connection, understanding and shared experiences. Tourism provides all three.

As we consider the value of this sector, let us recognize it not only as an economic engine but also as a cultural bridge and a unifying force. Let us continue to invest in it, support it and celebrate it, not just for the visitors it brings but also for the country it helps to build.

Thank you.