Government of Canada Invests $6.1 million in Cape Breton Highlands National Park
News release
May 30, 2019 Ingonish, Nova Scotia Parks Canada Agency
Nature is our most precious resource yet it is increasingly under threat from climate change, human activity, and habitat loss. Since 1970, the world has lost approximately 60 percent of the populations of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. We know we need to take action to protect the ecosystems and habitats that are home to the wildlife we love. Parks Canada does important work for species recovery and habitat restoration, including through collaboration with Indigenous communities and local organizations.
Today, Mark Eyking, Member of Parliament for Sydney—Victoria and Chairman of the Standing Committee on International Trade, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, announced a federal investment of $6.1 million for Cape Breton Highlands National Park. This funding will support restoration of Atlantic salmon in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, while improving park infrastructure along the world-renowned Cabot Trail.
Parks Canada is a recognized leader in conservation and takes actions to preserve national parks and marine conservation areas and contribute to the recovery of species at risk. The Government of Canada is investing $972,000 to restore the Clyburn River salmon population in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. A continuing decline in the number of adult Atlantic salmon returning to spawn in the Clyburn River watershed is putting the population at risk. This project aims to have wild salmon running the river in healthy numbers by 2024. A recent United Nations Report showed that almost 1 million of the planet’s species are at risk, and the Government is committed to protecting Canada’s biodiversity. Atlantic national parks, including Cape Breton Highlands National Park, will be working with Indigenous partners and stakeholders to restore the Atlantic salmon population.
The Government of Canada is also investing $5.1 million for the full replacement of Effies Brook Bridge, located near South Harbour in the eastern side of Cape Breton Highlands National Park. This work will support the local economy, while improving safe access to those travelling the iconic Cabot Trail for the next 75 years, enabling Canadians of all ages to connect with nature and learn about the environment. This builds on several other recently completed federal infrastructure projects including road improvements and bridge replacements, along the Cabot Trail, and improvements to visitor facilities throughout the park. Over the past four years, over 50 percent of Cape Breton Highlands National Park roadways have been improved through federal investments, and work will continue over the next two years.
National parks represent the very best Canada has to offer. All Canadians are encouraged to visit them and discover the beauty of Canada’s natural treasures.
Quotes
“Through investments in our national parks, our government is protecting the environment and the wildlife that call them home, while ensuring safe, reliable traveling experiences for all Canadians to connect with nature. During the International Year of the Salmon, this investment in the salmon restoration project will help protect our vulnerable wild salmon population. Canadians love nature and know we need to protect what we love. With so many improvements along the iconic Cabot Trail, it is now easier than ever to experience nature and learn more about the wildlife that call the park home. I encourage Canadians and people from around the world to visit Cape Breton Highlands National Park.”
The Honourable Mark Eyking,
Member of Parliament for Sydney—Victoria and Chairman of the Standing Committee on International Trade
“Canada’s national parks play an important role in protecting our marine environment. The Government of Canada is improving aquatic habitats and restoring the Clyburn River Atlantic salmon population in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. In this International Year of the Salmon, this and other Parks Canada’s projects, will ensure that salmon populations remain part of our watersheds and oceans.”
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson,
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
Quick facts
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One third of the Cabot Trail, a world-famous scenic highway, runs through Cape Breton Highlands National Park along the coasts and over the highlands. Approximately 290,000 people visit this national park each year.
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Parks Canada is investing an unprecedented $3 billion over 5 years to support infrastructure work to heritage, tourism, waterway, and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas across Canada. This investment will ensure these cherished places are protected and secured for the future.
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Earlier this year, Parks Canada decided it would not proceed with a proposed Icefields trail project in Jasper National Park. The Effies Brook Bridge project was funded in part from the reallocation of Icefields Trail funding to other priorities within the Agency.
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Parks Canada takes its mandate to protect ecological integrity very seriously and is the only national parks system in the world that has fully implemented, system-wide ecological integrity monitoring and reporting program, consisting of more than 700 independent scientific measures that inform park-specific priorities and guide investments in conservation.
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Throughout 2019, the Government of Canada is participating in International Year of the Salmon events and continuing important work to protect salmon populations.
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The Government of Canada is pleased to continue to offer free admission to all Parks Canada’s places for youth aged 17 and under. By encouraging young people to discover nature and connect with history, we can help to inspire the next generation of stewards for these protected places. In celebration of diversity, Parks Canada continues to offer free admission to new Canadian citizens for one year through the Institute for Canadian Citizenship’s Cultural Access Pass Program.
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Contacts
Sabrina Kim
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
819-938-9413
Sabrina.kim@canada.ca
Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca
Coady Slaunwhite
Communications Officer
902-217-0861
coady.slaunwhite@canada.ca