The site features new interpretive panels commemorating moments of Acadian history.

“The Government of Canada is marketing Atlantic Canada as a tourism destination of choice. Investing in projects that will make Acadian regions more attractive to visitors helps grow the tourism sector, the local economy and contributes to the vitality of all communities.”

     - The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie 

“Our government recognizes the importance of learning from history, and understanding the role past events have played in shaping Canada and who we are as a nation and as people today. We are pleased to support the Society of Tor Bay Acadians as it encourages visitation to the region to celebrate the diversity and culture of Nova Scotia. National historic designations reflect Canada’s rich and varied history and I encourage all Canadians to learn more about Captain Savalette and his important contributions to Canada’s heritage.”

     - Rodger Cuzner, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minsiter of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton – Canso on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA, and of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

“The upgraded Place Savalette site will not only help attract more visitors to the area, but also provide residents and guests a place in our community to learn about the historical moments that took place in the region, allowing them to celebrate our diversity and culture.” 

     - Jude Avery, President, Society of Tor Bay Acadians

• The Society of Tor Bay Acadians is a non-profit volunteer organization founded in 2002 that represents Acadians who live in or have links to the Tor Bay region of Guysborough County.

• The Society aims to promote and encourage Acadian culture, genealogy and history research while supporting information sharing with all who are interested.

• This year is the 16^th anniversary of Festival Savalette, which is hosted every year to celebrate Acadian culture in the Tor Bay region. The festival is being held from August 7 – 11.

• Designated as a national historic person in 1944, Captain Savalette was a Basque fisherman who often met and traded with Mi’kmaw men along the coast at the end of the fishing season. He was noted for the longevity of his fishing practice at a time when the cod fishery played an important role in stimulating European interest in the Atlantic region.

• The Government of Canada is investing $12,209 in this project through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund. The Province of Nova Scotia is also contributing $27,632 toward the project.

• The Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) focuses on investments that lead to long-term employment and economic capacity building in Atlantic Canadian communities.

• The ICF continues to build on the objectives of the Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year strategy to create well-paying jobs for the middle class and those working hard to join it.

• The Government of Canada, through the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, recognizes significant people, places, and events that shaped our country as one way of helping Canadians and youth connect with their past. The commemoration process is largely driven by public nominations. To date, more than 2,000 designations have been made.

Related products

• Backgrounder: Captain Savalette

Chris Brooks
Director, Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-9417 / 902-830-3839 (cell)
Chris.brooks@canada.ca

Jude Avery
President
Society of Tor Bay Acadians
902-525-2074
Judeavery902@gmail.com