OTTAWA, ONTARIO, December 8, 2006 -- On behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, the Honourable John Baird, President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament for Ottawa West-Nepean, today launched Rideau 175, a year-long celebration commemorating the 175th anniversary of the opening of the Rideau Canal (1832-2007).
"I am both excited and proud to launch this extraordinary celebration. The collaborative work of Parks Canada and our community partners all along the Rideau corridor is sure to please both citizens and visitors of our great country during the year-long festivities," said Minister Ambrose. " The Rideau Canal has become one of the most recognized symbols of Canada and is certainly worthy of this marvelous celebration."
Parks Canada and the Friends of the Rideau are planning a year full of colour and activity to showcase this national treasure to visitors from around the world and to create pride for local residents and Canadians alike. Throughout the year 2007, Parks Canada and its many partners along the Rideau corridor will celebrate this impressive milestone by hosting community events, launching new programs and creating a variety of activities in honour of the Rideau Canal and its impressive history.
"The Rideau Canal is a defining feature of Ottawa and provides our city with beauty, recreation and a unique sense of history," said Minister Baird. "Its 175th anniversary is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate one of our country's heritage treasures with local residents, Canadians and visitors from around the world."
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. From 1832 into the 1850s 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.
Designated a national historic site of Canada in 1925, the Rideau Canal, including property from three other national historic sites of Canada - Fort Henry, the Kingston Fortifications (including the Martello Towers) and the Merrickville Blockhouse, has been nominated by Canada for inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are currently 13 World Heritage Sites in Canada.
For a complete listing of Rideau 175 events, please visit www.Rideau175.org
Information:
Robert Klager
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441
Gavin Liddy
Superintendent
Rideau Canal
Parks Canada
613-283-7199 ext. 235
