OTTAWA, ONTARIO, January 28, 2005 -- The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment, announced today that Canada has formally nominated the Rideau Canal to be considered for inscription as a World Heritage Site. A formal nomination was submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Paris on January 26 seeking to have the canal, which was designated as a national historic site of Canada in 1925, inscribed on the World Heritage List. The Rideau Canal was one of 11 Canadian heritage sites that were included on Canada's Tentative List for World Heritage Sites last year. "With its unique design and innovative technology, the Rideau Canal is a wonderful example of 19th century engineering achievement in Canada," said Minister Dion. "Safeguarding this heritage treasure for Canadians and visitors from around the world to experience, learn from and enjoy is a priority for me and for the Government of Canada. It is a historic legacy of our rich past that conveys a sense of Canada to the world. Our hope is that its nomination as a World Heritage Site will ensure that the Rideau Canal is conserved and appreciated for all time, and future generations of Canadians and international visitors." The Rideau Canal's designers and builders overcame huge challenges to create the most outstanding slackwater canal system in the world, and one of the first to be designed specifically for steam-powered vessels. Today this marvel - widely recognized to be one of the most significant engineering achievements in 19th century North America - is the most intact and best preserved historic canal of its era. It remains open and fully functional along its entire length, with most of its original structures intact. Officially opened in the summer of 1832 to provide a secure transportation route between Montreal and Kingston, the Rideau Canal was built in just six years. Its 202-kilometre route from the Ottawa River to Lake Ontario includes 47 locks and 74 dams. Constructed primarily for defense purposes, the canal was fortified with defensible lockmasters' houses, blockhouses and the impressive Kingston Harbour Fortifications. An exceptional example of the transfer of European transportation technology to North America, and its adaptation to Canada's harsh environment, the Rideau Canal and its accompanying fortifications were the most important part of Great Britain's strategy for the defense of Canada after the war of 1812. From 1832 into the 1850s and up until the First World War it was used primarily for commercial purposes. Since then, it has become one of Canada's foremost recreational waterways, drawing boaters, skaters, and canal enthusiasts from around the world. It is also an educational attraction, with Parks Canada staff and displays available along the canal to help visitors understand its engineering and historic features, as well as its unique place in Canada's history. "All along its route, the Rideau Canal holds a special place in the hearts of Canadians," said David McGuinty, Member of Parliament for Ottawa South. "It has become one of the most recognized symbols of Canada, a true national icon of our country. The canal is a visible example of Canadians' determination and ingenuity, as well as of our rich cultural heritage." In addition to the Rideau Canal, the property being nominated by Canada for inscription as an UNESCO World Heritage Site includes three other national historic sites of Canada - Fort Henry, the Kingston Fortifications (including the Martello Towers) and the Merrickville Blockhouse. Each year, Canada can nominate no more than one cultural site from its Tentative List for evaluation as a possible World Heritage Site. Canada's nomination of the Rideau Canal will likely be considered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in the summer of 2006. The Rideau Canal nomination document was developed over a two-year period by Rideau Canal staff working in collaboration with a steering committee made up of Rideau corridor residents and stakeholders. The Rideau Canal nomination was the first to be completed from Canada's Tentative List. There are currently 13 World Heritage Sites in Canada. - 30 - Information: Emma Orawiec Press Secretary Office of the Minister of the Environment (819) 997-1441 Christina Cameron Director General National Historic Sites Parks Canada (819) 994-1808
