Parks Canada Celebrates Successful Canada 150 Season at Forillon National Park and at the Battle of the Restigouche and the Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse National Historic Sites
News Release
More Canadians than ever before enjoyed amazing experiences at Parks Canada places in 2017
October 18, 2017 Gaspé, Québec Parks Canada Agency
National parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas represent the very best that Canada has to offer and tell stories of who we are, including the history, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples.
To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, the Government of Canada offered free admission for all visitors to Parks Canada places, to encourage Canadians to experience their rich history and heritage in a special way. Parks Canada is pleased to have welcomed more visitors to our treasured places than ever before, and to have played an important role in the celebration of Canada 150.
Many accomplishments and increased visitation made 2017 a resounding success at Forillon National Park and at the Battle of the Restigouche and the Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse National Historic Sites.
At Forillon National Park, Parks Canada enhanced visitor experience thanks to numerous partnerships that made it possible to offer a wide array of recreational and interpretive activities. These included: the Capelin on the Cape exhibit, organized in partnership with WWF Canada, the public archaeological excavations on Penouille, new discovery modules on the history of geology, presented in collaboration with the Geological Survey of Canada, the Rencontres internationales de la photographie en Gaspésie, the Ultra-Trail du Bout du Monde and the must-see sunrise concert at Cap-Bon-Ami during the Festival Musique du Bout du monde, that featured artist Chloé Ste-Marie.
Also, to highlight Mi’kmaq culture and traditions, Parks Canada offered new weekly interpretation activities conducted by members of the Gespeg Micmac Nation. For the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the park also hosted the first edition of Mawiomi, which means “gathering” in the Mi’kmaq language. The event was organized by the Gespeg Micmac Nation with the aim of encouraging visitors to discover the rich cultural heritage of the Mi’kmaq. This first edition was a resounding success, as close to 800 people took in traditional dancing, drumming and tribal singing, and attended various workshops throughout the day.
This amazing season wrapped up on October 9. To find out what events, presented in partnership with the Centre culturel Le Griffon, are in store for winter 2017–2018, visit Forillon’s website
The Government is committed to preserving our national parks, while making them more accessible so that Canadians, including youth and newcomers, can experience the outdoors and learn about our environment. Parks Canada continues to ensure the best possible visitor experience for people coming to our places, and has effectively managed 2017’s increased visitation.
To help visitors plan their experiences, Parks Canada launched a mobile app earlier this season. The app is incredibly popular and, to date, there have been over 150,000 downloads. The Parks Canada Mobile App is a great planning tool which offers up-to-date information and resources to help visitors plan their visit and discover breathtaking locations, including a list of hidden gems, and other unique and memorable experiences at national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas.
Quotes
“I am so pleased to see just how many visitors alike have made Parks Canada’s places part of their Canada150 celebrations. Canada’s national parks and historic sites are amazing places for Canadians to connect to nature and history, and as we see the effects of climate change around the world, we know we must protect them as we enjoy them with our friends and families. By building connections to these places, we can foster the stewards of tomorrow -- people who know and care about these irreplaceable treasures. I look forward to welcoming you back to our treasured places in 2018.”
The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier
Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine
Quick Facts
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In 2017, the campsite and oTENTik occupancy rates at Forillon National Park increased by 24% and 11%, respectively. Visitation at the Interpretive Centre went up 33%, and 36% at heritage sites.
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Parks Canada actively helped preserve the natural and cultural heritage of Forillon National Park through its Cap‑des‑Rosiers beach restoration project, prescribed fire operations and the implementation of its Ecological Integrity Monitoring Program (carnivore and fish monitoring, bat inventory, and monitoring of the intensity of the spruce budworm epidemic
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Bioblitz Canada 150 was held at Forillon to celebrate Parks Day. Overall, 227 species were observed and identified by visitors and park staff.
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National historic sites were just as busy: there was a 86% increase in visitation at the Battle of the Restigouche National Historic Site and a 16% increase at the Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse National Historic Site.
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Over 6 million free 2017 Discovery Passes have been ordered by Canadians and people from around the world. Parks Canada has seen record visitation numbers across its network, and more Canadians than ever have had amazing experiences at our national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas.
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Throughout Budget 2016, the Government of Canada expanded the Learn-to Camp program. Through this expanded program, more Canadians than ever before are acquiring the skills they need to experience and enjoy the outdoors. So far, in 2017, 35,000 people (a record number) have participated in Learn-to Camp events and activities across the country.
Associated Links
Contacts
Michelle Sinnett
External Relations Manager
Gaspésie Field Unit
418-368-5509
michelle.sinnett@pc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca