April 16, 2015 – Toronto, Ontario - Office of the Minister of Environment
The Honourable Tony Clement, President of the Treasury Board, and Dr. Colin Carrie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment, hosted a “live dive event” at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) presenting an exclusive, up-close and personal tour of HMS Erebus and live chat via webcast with the experts of Parks Canada’s Underwater Archaeology Team in the High Arctic. Minister Clement and Dr. Carrie participated in the event on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada.
Staging dives in sub-zero conditions under the frozen surface of Queen Maud Gulf in Nunavut, Canadian underwater archaeologists, supported by Royal Canadian Navy divers, thrilled Grade 7 geography students from University of Toronto Schools. The class was taking part in a special underwater archaeology program at the ROM and had the opportunity to see a first-ever live guided tour of the wreck of HMS Erebus from under the Arctic sea ice.
Archaeological surveys are being conducted during an approximate 1-week expedition under the ice to further research the wreck and to continue photo and video documentation. The Department of National Defence’s Joint Task Force North has established a temporary camp near the site of HMS Erebus as part of Operation NUNALIVUT to support the archaeological diving operations; an expedition that simply would not be feasible in such an austere and extremely challenging environment without their expertise.
"The discovery of the HMS Erebus was an important milestone for Canadian history and I’m proud of the important role that Inuit oral history played in its discovery. Through the combination of Canadian technology and Inuit traditional knowledge, we are connecting Canadians of all ages with our rich Arctic history, while providing significant benefits in the areas of Arctic marine safety, environmental protection, science and technology, and history and culture."
-The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada
Jonathan Lefebvre
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441
Media Relations
Parks Canada
1-855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
1-866-377-0811
mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca
