St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, September 30, 2010--The Honourable Jim Prentice, Canada’s Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today announced the completion of a series of tourism and heritage infrastructure projects at national historic sites in eastern Newfoundland. These projects were made possible through Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
“These infrastructure projects have provided regional construction jobs and economic activity and will also encourage tourism in this area,” said Minister Prentice. “Our government is proud to preserve and protect these special places that are symbols of our country and tangible connections to our history.”
Today’s announcement follows a previous Government of Canada announcement on May 8, 2009, in which an investment of up to $700,000 was committed to national historic sites in eastern Newfoundland.
The completed projects include significant investment at Castle Hill National Historic Site of Canada to stabilize important cultural resources and improve visitor facilities, as well as at Signal Hill National Historic Site of Canada to realign the road, improve visitor safety and provide a more appealing introduction to the site. The projects also include rehabilitation of facilities, monuments and landscaping at Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site of Canada and other national historic sites in Ship Harbour, Bonavista, Brigus and St. John’s.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan sets aside $374 million for improvements of facilities and protection of Canada’s national parks and national historic sites. As a result of these investments in national parks and national historic sites, many skilled men and women in construction, tourism and conservation sectors will be hired in every province and territory of Canada.
Parks Canada is the largest provider of historic and natural heritage tourism in Canada. Through a network of 42 national parks, 167 national historic sites, and three national marine conservation areas, Parks Canada sets the stage and invites Canadians, as well as people from around the world, to engage in personal moments of inspiring discovery of our treasured natural and historic places.
For additional information, please see the accompanying backgrounder at www.parkscanada.gc.ca, under Media Room.
Information:
Pascale Boulay
Press Secretary
Minister’s Office, Environment Canada
819-997-1441
www.twitter.com/jimprentice
Media Relations
National Corporate Communications Branch
Parks Canada
819-994-3023
www.twitter.com/parkscanada
Backgrounder associated with this News Release.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan projects in Newfoundland and Labrador
