Government of Canada invests in tourism infrastructure in Fort Langley and Gulf of Georgia cannery national historic sites

February 02, 2010

Canada’s Economic Action Plan at Work in British Columbia

FORT LANGLEY - Mr. Mark Warawa, Member of Parliament for Langley and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Prentice, Canada’s Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today announced the intention to provide up to $3.2 million from Canada’s Economic Action Plan (EAP) for improvements to Fort Langley and Gulf of Georgia Cannery national historic sites.

“Protecting and maintaining our national heritage in British Columbia ensures that authentic resources form part of the British Columbian tourism experience,” said Mr. Warawa. “Tourism in British Columbia benefits from examples of the places where our nation’s cultural heritage was formed.”

Canada’s Economic Action Plan will set aside $374 million for improvements of facilities and protection of Canada’s national parks and national historic sites. As a result of these investments in national parks and national historic sites, many skilled men and women in construction, tourism and conservation sectors, will be hired in every province and territory in Canada.

“Canada’s Economic Action Plan will stimulate economic growth within our communities while ensuring tangible benefits for visitors to National Parks and National Historic Sites for many years to come,” said Minister Prentice. “The projects announced today will help to create local employment and economic activity right away and help to increase tourism in the long term through improved visitor facilities in British Columbia.”

Projects announced today include: conservation of the Storehouse, including removal of lead-based paints, and reroofing of visitor structures, replacement of the palisade wall, top-dressing and reseeding of the heritage orchard, perimeter split-rail fencing from the salvaged logs of the old palisade, and the addition of self-guided exhibits throughout Fort Langley National Historic Site; as well as self-guided materials and exhibit upgrades for Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site.

Tourism represents a significant economic opportunity for Canada and, for this reason, has been targeted in Canada’s Economic Action Plan. In 2007, the tourism sector contributed approximately $28.6 billion to the Canadian economy and employed 653,400 Canadians. As part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the main plan to stimulate our economy during the global recession, the Government of Canada is delivering immediate action through a targeted plan that will create and maintain jobs for today and tomorrow.

Parks Canada works to ensure that Canada’s historic and natural heritage is presented and protected for the enjoyment, education and appreciation of all Canadians, today and in the future. Through a network of 42 national parks, 167 national historic sites, and three national marine conservation areas, Parks Canada sets the stage and invites Canadians, as well as people from around the world, to engage in personal moments of inspiring discovery of our treasured natural and historic places.