QUÉBEC, QUEBEC, April 22, 2005 -- The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment, today announced the allocation of $315 million in new funding to Parks Canada to conserve the nation's cultural and natural heritage. "This represents a significant investment by the Government of Canada to ensure that our unique historic places and national parks are conserved for future generations," said Minister Dion. "The projects this funding makes possible are part of Project Green, a national project whose goal is to create a healthier environment and a more vigorous economy by uniting all Canadians to build a more sustainable future." Restoration of National Historic Sites Due to age- and weather-related deterioration, a number of the national historic sites managed by Parks Canada are threatened and require urgent restoration. Parks Canada will invest $2.9 million to restore visitor facilities and interpretative displays at Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site of Canada, in Alberta, where it will rebuild the existing visitor facility, install a new water system and create a new exhibit gallery to enhance the experience of visitors. The Agency is also restoring several key structures of the Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada, in Ontario. Another $2.7 million will go to restore the walls at Prince of Wales Fort National Historic Site of Canada in Churchill, Manitoba, and more than $13 million are set aside to restore Dufferin Terrace in Québec, which is part of the both the Fortifications of Québec and the Saint-Louis Forts and Châteaux national historic sites of Canada. "Quebec's fortification walls, Dufferin Terrace and the vestiges of the Saint-Louis Forts and Castles truly convey a sense of Canada and what it means to be Canadian," said Minister Dion. "Deeply rooted in our history, they are witnesses to the city's defence system and the seat of colonial executive authority for over 200 years." Historic Places Initiative The new funding allocated in Budget 2005 for the Historic Places Initiative (HPI) will ensure the continuation of this innovative program and the ongoing development of the Canadian Register of Historic Places - an online listing and source of information on historic places that have been designated to be historically significant by either the federal government or a provincial, territorial or local government in Canada. It will also allow the federal, provincial and territorial HPI partners to promote the widespread use of the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada. Ecological Integrity Thanks to the new ecological integrity funding it received in Budget 2005, Parks Canada will be able to move ahead quickly on several high-priority ecological integrity projects, from offering new options for healthy visitor experiences at Prince Edward Island National Park of Canada and restoring aquatic habitats and the water levels of lakes in La Mauricie National Park of Canada, to initiating a new public education program on ecological integrity at Banff National Park of Canada. Another key project is planned to reconfigure and expand the trail network around the town of Jasper. This work will enhance the ecological integrity of Jasper National Park of Canada, and the recreational opportunities offered to park visitors. "These projects will offer Canadians new opportunities to experience Canada's national parks and national historic sites," said the Honourable Jean-C Lapierre, Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for the Quebec region. "They will engage Canadians in the protection of our unique natural and cultural heritage, and help to build a new generation of heritage stewards in Canada." Parks Canada will receive $315 million in new funding over five years beginning in 2005-2006, followed by a permanent increase in its heritage conservation annual budget of $98 million beginning in 2010-2011. This new funding includes $209 million over five years, followed by $75 million in annual ongoing funding, for Parks Canada to repair or replace its ageing national park and national historic site visitor facilities; restore national historic sites; repair or replace critical infrastructure; and update interpretive displays and programs. It also includes $46 million over five years, followed by $8 million in annual ongoing funding, to support the Historic Places Initiative, a federal-provincial-territorial partnership established in 2001 to build public awareness of Canada's historic places and promote their conservation. In addition, Parks Canada will receive $60 million over five years, followed by $15 million in new annual ongoing funding, to enhance and maintain the ecological integrity of Canada's national parks. The new funding directly supports several Government of Canada priorities, including its commitment to offer new economic opportunities to Canada's Aboriginal people, and to revitalize cities and rural communities across the country. It will also contribute to Canada's Oceans Action Plan and its Northern Strategy. As well as being places where natural ecosystems are protected, and key elements of Canada's natural and cultural heritage are preserved for Canadians to experience and enjoy, the national historic sites and national parks of Canada contribute $1.2 billion to the national gross domestic product annually and sustain 38,000 full-time jobs. Parks Canada is the Government of Canada agency responsible for protecting and presenting Canada's natural and cultural heritage on behalf of all Canadians. - 30 - Information: André Lamarre Director of Communications Office of the Minister of the Environment (819) 997-1441 Josianne Jalbert Media Relations Officer Parks Canada (819) 994-3023 Backgrounder associated with this News Release. PARKS CANADA RECEIVES NEW FUNDING IN BUDGET 2005
