Government of Canada Invests in British Columbia
News Release
Funding for visitor facilities and road rehabilitation at Parks Canada sites
November 10, 2016 Steveston, BC Parks Canada Agency
Canada’s national parks and historic sites belong to all Canadians. They represent the very best that Canada has to offer and tell the stories of who we are, including the history, cultures and contributions of Indigenous Peoples.
The Government of Canada is investing more than $38 million for various infrastructure projects at Parks Canada sites in coastal British Columbia. Jonathan Wilkinson, member of Parliament for North Vancouver and Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, made the announcement today on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna. Mr. Wilkinson was joined by local Members of Parliament John Aldag and Joe Peschisolido.
As part of Budget 2016, $17.7 million is being invested in a new biking and walking trail in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. This is part of the government’s $191 million investment in Parks Canada to improve tourism and highway assets in several of Canada’s national parks.
Additionally, $21 million in funding will support visitor services at Parks Canada sites in coastal British Columbia through the rehabilitation of existing infrastructure. This is part of the $3 billion invested by Parks Canada over five years to support infrastructure work to heritage, visitor, waterway and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks and national marine conservation areas across Canada.
Included in the funding are improvements to Wick Road in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, which provides the only vehicle access to several popular visitor areas, as well as the rehabilitation of the Kwisitis Visitor Centre. These two projects will provide the opportunity for more Canadians, including youth and newcomers, to experience nature and connect with the culture and history of the area.
Fort Rodd Hill, Gulf of Georgia Cannery, and Fort Langley national historic sites are also receiving funding that will contribute to visitor safety and ensure the long-term preservation of their historic structures. This includes roof repairs, window replacement, and upgrades to fire suppression, ventilation and water systems.
Investments in visitor infrastructure – such as trails, visitor centres, and campgrounds, as well as highways, parkways, and bridges – will ensure the quality and reliability of visitor facilities and continue to allow Canadians to connect with nature.
Quote
“The Government is committed to preserving our national parks and historic sites, while enabling more Canadians to experience the outdoors and learn about our environment and heritage. Budget 2016 provided over $190 million to improve tourism and highway assets in Parks Canada places to enable more Canadians to connect with nature and support local economies. These infrastructure investments announced today are vital to creating middle class jobs and sustained economic growth. They will ensure safe, high-quality and meaningful experiences for visitors, while contributing to the tourism sector, creating jobs and sustaining economic growth in coastal British Columbia.”
- Jonathan Wilkinson,
Member of Parliament for North Vancouver and Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change
Quick facts
- Pacific Rim National Park Reserve welcomes more than 800,000 visitors each year, from families exploring the rainforest, to beach lovers and surfers on Long Beach, to seasoned outdoor enthusiasts on multi-day backcountry adventures in the Broken Group Islands and West Coast Trail.
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Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site is a coastal artillery fort built in the late 1890s to defend Victoria and the Esquimalt Naval Base. The fort includes three gun batteries, underground magazines, command posts, guardhouses, barracks and searchlight emplacements, and provides a glimpse into the lives of the soldiers and families who lived there.
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Fort Langley National Historic Site started as a small trading post established by the Hudson’s Bay Company. With the support of the local Indigenous peoples, the trading post grew and sent furs to Europe, cranberries to California, and Fraser River salmon to Hawaii. In 1858, with the gold rush underway, and fear the region would be annexed by the United States, British Columbia was proclaimed a Crown Colony on the site by James Douglas.
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The Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site is located in the historic fishing village of Steveston. Built in 1894, the Cannery was one of the largest of its time and was known as the “Monster Cannery”. Today, it is the last among more than 15 canneries that occupied cannery row on the Steveston waterfront, offering exhibits that showcase the history of Canada’s West Coast fishing industry.
Associated Document
- Backgrounder: Parks Canada Infrastructure Investments for Coastal British Columbia – 2016
Related links
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Contacts
Caitlin Workman
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change
819-938-9436
Media Relations
Parks Canada
1-855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca
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