Newfoundland’s tourism minister claps back at ‘freezing island’ People Magazine headline

Residents in Newfoundland push back against negative coverage after a stranded UK flight, recalling the province’s legacy of kindness during 9/11.

ST. JOHN’S — An international headline describing Newfoundland as a ‘freezing Canadian island’ has raised a few eyebrows in the province and the ire of the province’s tourism minister.

Minister of Tourism Culture, Arts and Recreation Andrea Barbour, has written to staff at People Magazine to complain about a headline that appeared on the publication’s website on Friday.

“Stating that the aircraft diverted to a frozen island in Canada certainly diminishes us as a province,” she wrote. “Yes, it may be cold here during certain times of the year; but it doesn’t define us or make our homes any less warm to visitors.”

The minister’s letter was dated Tuesday, April 7, but staff at the Department of Tourism said Barbour was unavailable to discuss its contents with CTV News.

The article, headlined “British Airways Strands Hundreds of Passengers on Freezing Canadian Island for 2 Days After Flight Diverts for Emergency,” is an aggregation of a BBC Radio interview that was similarly written, headlined and published online.

• Tale of flight stuck on ‘freezing Canadian island’ gets warm laughs in Newfoundland

Passenger Jon Shipman told BBC Radio that passengers aboard a British Airways flight were stuck in St. John’s for two days — grounded after a medical emergency on board, and then stuck again after what British Airways staff called a temporary technical issue.

‘It got me to click’

While his complaints centred around the actions of British Airways, the headline “Airline left us on a freezing island for days,” caught the most attention in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“My first reaction was that it was an unfortunate headline, but it got me to click,” said Heather McKinnon, the general manager of the Delta Hotel in St. John’s, where the 255 passengers spent their second night.

About half of the passengers were located elsewhere during their first night in the city, before they all congregated at the large hotel.

“We are used to this and the staff are used to getting called in the middle of the night to come and help, and they’re very dedicated,” she said.

‘Best province in the country’

Some staff helped take passengers to Shoppers Drug Mart and Walmart while their bags were locked in the British Airways jet.

“I just don’t hear anybody bad-mouthing Newfoundland,” added Keith Muise, a Stephenville resident who parodied the headline in a dramatic, documentary style on Facebook.

“You know, you don’t get stranded here. You can’t get stranded in the best province in the country as far as I’m concerned.”

Muise’s parody video has racked up thousands of views itself.

In her letter, Barbour invited representatives from People Magazine to visit Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Smell the salt air, listen to the sounds of our province, explore the corners and coves, and experience for yourself the care and comfort of world-class hospitality right here in Newfoundland and Labrador.”

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