The Government of Canada is investing more than $133,000 to help promote one of Nova Scotia’s premiere historic sites at Grand Pré. The announcement was made today by Senator Gerald Comeau, on behalf of the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway.
“The Government of Canada is pleased to invest in this very important part of Nova Scotia’s heritage,” said Senator Comeau. “This investment is reflective of the goals of our Government’s Economic Action Plan, which continues to provide timely and targeted stimulus to communities across Canada.”
La Société Promotion Grand-Pré is a non-profit organization that helps promote and celebrate Acadian culture and history related to Grand Pré. The Government of Canada support will help the Société identify ways of increasing visitation to the historic site and explore new, non- traditional markets.
Government of Canada support for this project involves three departments or agencies: Canadian Heritage ($45,000), the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency ($45,000), and Parks Canada ($43,005). The Province of Nova Scotia has supported the project through the departments of Tourism, Heritage and Culture ($18,220), and Economic and Rural Development ($15,000).
“Parks Canada is pleased to provide support for this important marketing initiative which will encourage more Canadians to discover Grand-Pré National Historic Site, one of Canada’s treasured historic places,” said The Honourable Jim Prentice, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada.
“Our Government is proud to invest in projects that encourage innovation with regard to Canada’s two official languages,” said the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages. “The Department of Canadian Heritage’s contribution to the promotion and marketing project will help the Société Promotion Grand Pré engage young Francophones living in minority-language communities, as well as young Anglophones who study in immersion.”
"The government of Nova Scotia is pleased to support Grand Pre in its efforts to ensure its long term sustainability by maximizing the historic and cultural aspects of the site not only for visitors but also through its educational and community outreach activities," says Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, Ramona Jennex, on behalf of Economic and Rural Development Minister, Percy Paris. "We are also hopeful that this significant heritage site will be successful in its efforts to receive a UNESCO designation so that Grand Pre and the surrounding area can receive the recognition it deserves."
“With an enhanced marketing presence and some supplemental programming targeting key audiences, the Société is confident there is great potential for both enhanced awareness and increased visitation,” said Stan Surette, President, Société Promotion Grand-Pré.
Key elements of the Grand Pré marketing plan include product and programming development, website and e- marketing initiatives, development of marketing partnerships and experiential tourism packages, enhanced media relations and the hiring of a marketing director.
The marketing strategy is based on the rationale that Grand Pré is a tourism asset as well as a cultural icon. Investments at the Grand-Pré National Historic Site are deemed to be good for the development of Acadian tourism here in Nova Scotia and throughout the Maritimes. As well, Grand Pré is being considered for designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Government of Canada is investing $540 million in the arts and culture sector to stimulate the economy as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan. It also recently renewed funding for federal arts and cultural programs totaling $1.51 billion over the next five years.
On behalf of Minister Prentice, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Senator Gérald Comeau also announced significant land additions to Grand-Pré National Historic Site of Canada.
“I am very pleased and proud to announce that over the past few months, Parks Canada has acquired two key parcels of land as part of the Agency’s efforts to protect significant cultural resources and viewscapes associated with Grand-Pré National Historic Site of Canada,” said Senator Comeau. “These key acquisitions help ensure Grand-Pré National Historic Site continues to play an important role as part of Parks Canada’s network of Canada’s treasured historic places.”
These new parcels of land will build on the Agency’s land holdings at Grand Pré which protect the heart of the historic Acadian Village of Grand-Pré, directly adjacent to the dykelands. The acquisitions will also provide opportunities for future visitor experiences in relation to the rural historic district and possible future World Heritage site designation.
Grand-Pré National Historic Site of Canada commemorates Grand-Pré area as a centre of Acadian settlement from 1682 to 1755 and the Deportation of the Acadians, which began in 1755 and continued until 1762.
Senator Gerald Comeau, on behalf of Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, today announced a Government of Canada investment to help promote the Grand Pré historic site. On behalf of the Honourable Jim Prentice, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Senator Gérald Comeau also announced significant land additions to Grand- Pré National Historic Site of Canada.
La Société Promotion Grand-Pré will receive a Government of Canada investment of $133,000 from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), the Department of Canadian Heritage, and Parks Canada.
The investment will identify ways of increasing visitation to the historic site and explore new, non-traditional markets.
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David Harrigan
Senior Communications/Media Relations Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-4238
Email: david.harrigan@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Claude DeGrâce
Manager, External Relations
Parks Canada
506-851-3084
Email: claude.degrace@pc.gc.ca
