Ottawa, Ontario, Wednesday March 14, 2012 -- The Honourable Peter Kent, Canada’s Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today announced the designation of 11 new national historic sites, persons, and events related to the history of multicultural communities that define significant moments in Canada’s history. They will be included in Canada’s family of national historic sites on the recommendation of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC).
“These new designations offer special opportunities for all Canadians to better understand and celebrate the significant influence of immigrants on our nation’s history,” said Minister Kent. “More importantly, they illustrate how campaigns by individual communities changed legislation for the betterment of many, helping to instill the values of fairness, equality, and acceptance that we share today.”
Today’s list of designations includes historical events such as the Hogg’s Hollow Disaster, the court case Cunningham v. Tomey Homma, and Japanese-Canadian Soldiers of the First World War, and the Fight to Win the Vote. The richness and diversity of Canada is recognized through events like the Introduction of Multilingual Multicultural Radio Stations, which signalled the move toward multicultural radio programming in the 1960s, and places like the Finnish Labour Temple, an important social and cultural site for Finnish Canadians.
“This announcement underlines the important contributions made to Canada's history by the rich culture of our immigrant communities,” said Minister Jason Kenny, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism. “Today, cultural communities continue to enrich our country and build upon our strong tradition of peace and pluralism.”
Established in 1919, and supported by Parks Canada, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of the Environment regarding the national historic significance of places, persons, and events that have marked Canada’s history. Parks Canada manages a nation-wide network of national historic sites that make up a rich tapestry of Canada’s cultural heritage and which offers visitors the opportunity for real and inspiring discoveries.
For additional information, please see the accompanying backgrounder at www.parkscanada.gc.ca under Media Room.
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Information:
Adam Sweet
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441
Media Relations
Parks Canada
819-953-8371
Backgrounder associated with this News Release.
Multicultural Communities
