Shining a spotlight on the local craft sector

The Craft and Gift sector is a vital part of the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador. Artisans, makers, and gift producers draw on the province’s cultural heritage, natural resources, and storytelling traditions to create products with strong local identity, everything from textiles and woodwork to specialty foods and visual art.

According to the 2024 Study of the Crafts Sector in Canada by the Canadian Crafts Federation using Statistics Canada data, the sector added $2.668 billion to the Gross Domestic Product in Canada, highlighting its economic importance.

The sector is increasingly professionalized, outward-looking, and technologically enabled. Many craft and gift business owners are expanding their reach through e-commerce, online marketplaces, and social media storytelling to connect with customers far beyond their communities. Others are experimenting with new product lines, sustainable materials, or modern design approaches while still preserving traditional techniques. 

As we go into the upcoming holiday season it is important to remember that shopping local keeps more money circulating within the province, supporting small businesses and creating stable local jobs. It also strengthens community resilience by reducing reliance on external markets and helping local industries grow and innovate.

Here’s a roundup of some initiatives and organizations offering unique local products:

• Business & the Arts NL Local Holiday Gift Guide
• Craft Council of Newfoundland & Labrador
• Quidi Vidi Village Artisan Studios
• Dec 12 & 13 Anna Templeton Centre Stained Glass: Next Level Open Studio (Note: students must have previous experience with stained glass)
• Dec 14 & 21 Stocking Stuffer Markets
• Dec 19 Tombolo Multicultural Christmas Community Fair
• Dec 21 Evening Etsy St. John's Market

Inviting young adults to help shape our City

The City of St. John’s is refreshing its Youth Engagement Strategy and wants young adults—especially ages 18–30, as well as interested 17-year-olds—to help shape the city’s future. Your ideas can influence real change, from public spaces to long-term planning. Have your say by January 16, 2026 through:

• Online survey (enter to win a $100 gift card)
• Pop-up event: Mews Community Centre – Dec. 13, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
• Focus groups (email to join)
• Engage St. John’s project page for written ideas

New Year’s Eve Celebration

The City of St. John’s invites everyone to ring in the New Year with fun, free, family-friendly activities on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. Visit StJohns.ca for updates. Events include: 

• Gym & Swim at Paul Reynolds & H.G.R. Mews Community Centres
• Grab your skates and helmet and enjoy a skating party at The Loop, Bannerman Park
• Join the celebration and countdown to the fireworks at Quidi Vidi Lake
• View the fireworks over Quidi Vidi Lake at 8 pm. Weather dependent.

Socio-economic benefits from oil and gas industry activity in NL

The offshore oil industry continues to be a major contributor to the economy in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) supporting thousands of jobs and driving economic growth, according to a recent report from Energy Research & Innovation NL (ERI). ERI commissioned Stantec Consulting Ltd. to research and develop socio-economic benefits from oil and gas Industry activity in NL, between 2018-2024. The offshore oil industry contributed nearly one quarter of the province’s GDP between 2018-2024 and generated a $2.3 billion increase in household income. Over this period, labour compensation in the province was 10.8% higher, with yearly increases averaging $1.8 billion. The industry also sustained roughly 19,000 jobs each year—often peaking during project development—accounting for about 8.2% of total provincial employment.

Call for employers: work with emerging talent through the Global Skills Exchange Initiative

Are you an inclusive employer interested in gaining an operational boost while fostering the growth of incoming talent? Memorial University supported by provincial funding and managed by Career Development and the Internationalization Office, is looking for local employers to participate in their Global Skills Exchange initiative. A program which links international students together with local employers through fully-funded Work-Integrated Learning placements. Through short-term, 60-hour projects, student/alumni participants contribute their global experience, drive local growth and innovation, and strengthen career connections while applying their skills in real-world settings. Employers can express your interest by emailing psdp@mun.ca by Monday, January 5th, 2026.  

Scale-Up Hub: from Atlantic Canada to Europe

The Scale Up Hub Benelux program will help high-growth Atlantic Canadian companies unlock new partnerships, gain market access, and position themselves for long-term growth across the European Union (EU), using the Benelux region (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg) as their launchpad for market expansion and trade diversification. Applications for the Scale-up Hub Benelux program must be received by 3:00 PM NST on Friday Dec. 19, 2025. econext is leading the Program in collaboration with government partners and techNL.