Canso history creates tourism opportunities
News release

Municipality of the District of Guysborough to make infrastructure upgrades at two sites
November 29, 2022 · Canso, Nova Scotia · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
The tourism industry is vital to the Atlantic Canadian economy and supports thousands of local jobs and businesses. The Government of Canada is investing to improve tourism infrastructure in Canso, helping to draw and keep visitors longer, and showcase the area as a location for special events.
Upgrades to historic building site and waterfront to attract visitors
Today, Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton–Canso, announced a non-repayable contribution of $490,000, through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund, to the Municipality of the District of Guysborough. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA.
The funding will help the municipality upgrade tourism infrastructure at the historic Commercial Cable building site in Hazel Hill. The building was torn down in 2017, leaving massive granite foundation stones. Improvements to the site will include stabilization of the foundation; the addition of railings, decking and lighting; landscaping; and interpretation panels.
The investment will also support enhancements to the Canso waterfront, historically a working waterfront for the fish and seafood industry. Improvements to the waterfront will include lighting upgrades to the Harbourfront Trail; the addition of a small bandstand, three waterfront kiosks and accessible washroom facilities, as well as the expansion of the boardwalk.
Today’s announcement further demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to helping rural regions strengthen their tourism offerings, attract more visitors and events, and build a more resilient, inclusive economy.
Quotes
“Tourism is a key economic driver, and that is why we are committed to strengthening the sector in our rural communities. With today’s investment, the Municipality of the District of Guysborough will have the support needed to build on existing assets to welcome more visitors from near and far, enriching the local economy and quality of life.”
- The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA
“By upgrading the Commercial Cable building site in Hazel Hill and Canso waterfront, we are building on local landmarks to attract more visitors and show them a piece of our rich history. Visitors spending time and money in the area will benefit local businesses and residents and help make Canso an even more vibrant community.”
- Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton–Canso
“The site of the former Commercial Cable Building holds significant historical importance; and, the revitalization of the Commercial Cable Story and upgrades to the Canso waterfront will help the community forge a new path forward by attracting more visitors to the area providing direct benefit to the community and the municipality as a whole.”
- Vernon Pitts, Warden, Municipality of the District of Guysborough
Quick facts
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Located on Chedabucto Bay on the eastern shore of Nova Scotia, Canso is a community in the Municipality of the District of Guysborough. Its name derives from the Mi’kmaw word Kamsok (the place beyond the cliffs). By 1604, Canso was well known to French and Basque sailors as a fishing and trading base.
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The Commercial Cable Building in Hazel Hill was a wooden structure built in 1884 and replaced with a brick building in 1888. An important transatlantic cable station near Canso, it averaged 3,000 messages a day from all over the world including news of the sinking of the Titanic and the end of the First World War. The station was also a key part of communication between the London and New York stock exchanges.
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Improvements are expected to be complete by the end of the summer of 2023.
Associated links
Contacts
Marianne Blondin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Official Languages and of the
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Marianne.Blondin@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Lauren Sinclair
Director of Communications
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
782-641-6365
Lauren.Sinclair@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Vernon Pitts
Warden
Municipality of the District of Guysborough
902-870-6975
vpitts@modg.ca
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