Ottawa, Ontario, June 17, 2011 – The historical Laura Secord Homestead has been renovated and revived thanks to a joint investment from the governments of Canada and Ontario. The Niagara Parks Commission hosted an event today to celebrate the improvements to the homestead, which is part of its War of 1812 heritage building collection.
The Laura Secord Homestead was the residence of Canadian heroine Laura Secord during the early 1800s and is now managed as a heritage and tourist destination by The Niagara Parks Commission. Recent upgrades to the homestead include the creation of new exhibit space as well as a new welcome centre attached to the home. The accessibility and health standards of the building have also been increased. Additionally, in preparation for the Bicentennial commemorations of the War of 1812, the facility is now able to extend its visitation season.
“The Niagara Parks Commission’s historical sites are major tourist attractions and contribute to the economic and cultural well-being of this region,” said the Honourable Rob Nicholson, Member of Parliament for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice, and Attorney General of Canada. “Our Government is proud to have contributed to the restoration of the Laura Secord Homestead, ensuring the building is fully accessible, well-preserved, and open to visitors both new and old.”
“With the Bicentennial celebrations just around the corner, investing in this site (along with others along Niagara River's battlefields) our government is ensuring that the lessons and legacy of the War of 1812 will continue for generations to come.” said Niagara Falls MPP Kim Craitor. “The village of Queenston and the Niagara area played an important role in shaping the history of our province and our country. Heroes like Laura Secord helped define a Canadian national identity. We need to honour the sacrifice of our early settlers and celebrate their achievements. The Laura Secord Homestead gives tangible evidence to the civilian, particularly women's, involvement in defence of our new nation.”
In thanking the Federal and Provincial representatives for their support of this important heritage project, Fay Booker, Chair of The Niagara Parks Commission indicated, “This investment in our past has allowed us to properly showcase this venue and tell our unique stories so that future generations will know of the important contributions individuals such as Laura Secord made to the development of this country.”
The total eligible project cost is $8.94 million for the entire Niagara Parks Commission – War of 1812 project, of which the restoration of the Laura Secord Homestead is one component. The governments of Canada and Ontario have each contributed $4.47 million toward the overarching project, which also includes the restoration of McFarland House and Old Fort Erie.
Federal funding for this project comes from the Government of Canada’s $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which is providing funding to over 4,100 infrastructure projects across the country.
Over the last couple of months, Ontario had an increase of 38,000 jobs and the unemployment rate declined to 7.9 per cent.
For additional information about investments in infrastructure, visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.
For further information about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For more information on how Ontario is revitalizing its infrastructure, visit ontario.ca/infrastructure.
For further information:
Vanessa Schneider
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Ron Planche
Office of Kim Craitor, MPP
905-401-5699
Tony Baldinelli
Niagara Parks Commission
905-371-0837
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148 or toll-free 1-877-250-7154
