Revelstoke, British Columbia, September 21, 2012 -- On behalf of the Honourable Peter Kent, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Mr. David Wilks, Member of Parliament for Kootenay-Columbia, today joined the City of Revelstoke and the Province of British Columbia in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Trans-Canada Highway.
"I am proud to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this great engineering achievement, which joined the nation by road from coast-to-coast for the first time," said Mr. Wilks. "I would also like to recognize the 50 years of hard work by those tasked with maintaining and operating this route through the demanding mountainous terrain of the Selkirk Mountains, including Glacier and Mount Revelstoke national parks."
Fifty years ago, on September 3, 1962, Prime Minister John Diefenbaker stood at the summit of Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park, declaring the route officially open. This achievement marked a new era of Canadian transportation, realizing Prime Minister Diefenbaker's nation-building vision of creating Canada's first national highway.
The section of Highway #1 through Glacier National Park is known for its record snowfalls, with over 140 avalanche paths, steep mountains and the world's largest mobile avalanche control program operated by Parks Canada and the Canadian Forces.
Parks Canada is proud of its heritage and continued leadership in wildlife management along the Trans-Canada Highway throughout its national parks.
"Before the completion of the Trans-Canada Highway, most Canadians did not have access to some of Canada's greatest treasures," said Minister Kent. "It is fitting that 50 years later at the site of the original opening of this cross-Canada route, more than four million people now witness the stunning vistas of Glacier National Park, exemplifying some of the best of what our great nation has to offer."
Parks Canada works to ensure Canada's historic and natural heritage is protected and, through a network of 44 national parks, 167 national historic sites, and four national marine conservation areas, invites Canadians and people around the world to engage in personal moments of inspiring discovery at our treasured natural and historic places.
Information:
Jacolyn Daniluck
Public Relations and Communications Officer
Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks
Parks Canada
(250) 837-7554
Backgrounder associated with this News Release.
