The Government of Canada Continues to Invest in the Parks Canada Network Located in the Gaspésie Region.

July 1, 2016 – Gaspé, Quebec   Parks Canada Agency

Forillon National Park and the Battle of the Restigouche National Historic Site belong to all Canadians. They represent the very best that Canada has to offer and tell the story of who we are, including the history, cultures and contributions of Indigenous peoples.

Today, the Minister of National Revenue and MP for Gaspésie–Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Diane Lebouthillier, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, announced over 33 million dollars in funding for various projects that will take place at Parks Canada sites in the Gaspésie Region.

For example, this investment will be used to renovate the interpretation centre to enable more Canadians, including youth and newcomers, to learn about our environment and our history and to experience the great outdoors.

This investment will also be used to continue the reconstruction project of Cap-des-Rosiers Harbour in order to preserve, rehabilitate and restore it. This investment will protect our heritage and strengthen their appeal as representative places for the region and beyond its borders.

Investments in visitor infrastructure – such as visitor centres and campgrounds, as well as roads and bridges – will ensure meaningful and quality visitor experiences, and will help maintain the commemorative and ecological integrity of national parks and national historic sites across Canada.

Quote

“Through investments like this, the Government of Canada is protecting and preserving our treasured heritage places, while supporting local economies and contributing to the growth of the tourism sector. On Canada Day and with the upcoming 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, the Government of Canada invites Canadians to learn more about our environment and our heritage and to experience it in Parks Canada places this summer.”

The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue and MP for Gaspésie–Les Iles-de-la-Madeleine

Quick facts

• Located on the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, Forillon Park is a mountainous area that borders on the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Bay of Gaspé. Forillon protects a total of 245 km², including a narrow strip of marine area more than 150 m wide (4.4 km²).
• Over the last few years, Parks Canada has worked hard to develop memorable experiences for visitors to Forillon National Park, in collaboration with its precious partners: additional oTENTik tents, new outdoor activities, cultural events, sports challenges, etc. Forillon National Park is a major tourist attraction and an important economic generator for the Gaspésie region. In 2015, the number of visitors jumped by 19% in comparison with 2014 and the campsite occupancy rate increased by 12%.
• The Battle of the Restigouche National Historic Site commemorates the last naval battle of the Seven Years’ War in North American waters. At the interpretation you can relive the last naval combat between France and Great Britain for possession of North America and admire the last remains of the shipwrecked Machault, which had been underwater for more than 200 years.
• 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.

Associated Document

Backgrounder: Parks Canada Infrastructure Investments for the Gaspésie Region – 2016

Additional links

Parks Canada: www.parkscanada.gc.ca

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Information

Caitlin Workman
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change
819-938-9436

Media Relations
Parks Canada
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca

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