Government of Canada invests additional funds in Province House National Historic Site
News Release
Infrastructure funding for site accessibility and fire code standards
May 3, 2017 Charlottetown, PEI Parks Canada Agency
Parks Canada is responsible for protecting and presenting nationally significant examples of Canada’s natural and cultural heritage. To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation, the Government of Canada invites Canadians to experience nature and discover our rich and varied history.
The Government of Canada is announcing an additional $6 million in federal infrastructure funding for Province House National Historic Site. Today, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri Food and Member of Parliament for Cardigan, made the announcement on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna. This significant investment brings the total infrastructure funding for Province House to $47 million.
This additional investment will be dedicated to addressing fire code compliance and universal accessibility standards, all while maintaining the historic character-defining elements of this iconic Canadian landmark. Importantly, Province House will be made fully accessible to visitors with mobility needs to enable all Canadians to follow the path of the Fathers of Confederation and learn more about our history. Investing in the preservation and restoration of our national historic sites protects our heritage and strengthens their appeal as destinations to celebrate our nation's many achievements.
Construction timelines for the first phase of the overall conservation work on Province House have also been finalized, with the first phase, recently awarded to Quinan Construction Ltd. of Orillia, Ontario, set for April to December 2017. During this initial phase, Quinan Construction will be engaging several local subcontractors.
The story of Canada begins at Province House as the birthplace of Confederation. Parks Canada is committed to telling the story of Province House while the building is closed for conservation work and is pleased to collaborate with the Confederation Centre of the Arts in presenting “The Story of Confederation”: a program that offers a variety of heritage experiences that present the story of our nation’s birth in new and innovative ways.
The Government is also very pleased to offer free admission for all visitors to national parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation.
Quotes
“As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation, the Government of Canada is proud to invest in the protection and conservation of Province House. Through infrastructure investments at Parks Canada places, we are creating middle class jobs and sustained economic growth, while ensuring high-quality and meaningful visitor experiences for years to come. I encourage Canadians to visit Parks Canada destinations in Prince Edward Island as part of Canada 150 to experience the province’s natural and cultural treasures.”
The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri Food and Member of Parliament for Cardigan
"Our government's commitment to preserving and protecting our historic places is resolute. This investment is a further confirmation of that. This funding will go a long way to ensuring that all Canadians can experience Province House to its fullest."
The Honourable Sean Casey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Member of Parliament for Charlottetown
Quick Facts
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Province House National Historic Site was built in 1847 and has a unique dual identity as both the historic birthplace of Canada and the seat of Prince Edward Island’s Provincial Legislature. Province House is owned by the Province of Prince Edward Island and is operated as a national historic site by Parks Canada.
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Parks Canada has collaborated with Confederation Centre of the Arts to deliver The Story of Confederation visitor experience, while Province House is closed for conservation work. The Story of Confederation consists of an impressive, true-to-life, replica of the Confederation Chamber in Province House, complete with reproduction table and chairs, as well as some original artifacts from the building.
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Parks Canada is investing an unprecedented $3 billion dollars over 5 years to support infrastructure work to heritage, visitor, waterway, and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas.
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Contacts
Marie-Pascale Desrosiers
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
613-462-5473
marie-pascale.desrosiers@canada.ca
Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca