Louisbourg (NS) – April 21, 2008 – The Government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia will provide assistance to the Louisbourg Merchants’ Association to help in efforts to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the second siege of the Fortress of Louisbourg. The investments were announced today by Gerald Keddy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and to the Minister of International Trade and Alfie MacLeod, Speaker of the Nova Scotia Legislature.
“Our Government’s investment of almost $330,000 in the Louisbourg 2008 commemoration events will generate positive economic benefits for the local economy and further enhance the profile of the Fortress of Louisbourg—a Canadian tourism icon,” said Parliamentary Secretary Keddy, on behalf of the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of ACOA and Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation.
“The Fortress of Louisbourg is an important part of Nova Scotia's heritage and a tremendous asset to our tourism industry," said Alfie MacLeod, Speaker of the House of Assembly on behalf of Tourism, Culture and Heritage Minister Bill Dooks. "Our government is pleased to provide support to this celebration and to this important tourist icon."
For this special anniversary, The Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site will host a number of events throughout 2008, including an encampment of re-enactors.
The funding announced today will assist with the organization of a series of special events in the modern town of Louisbourg. Plans are in place to build a historically-themed gate at the entrance to the town, built with stone from the Fortress, as well as the installation of directional and interpretive signage.
“We are excited about the Louisbourg 2008 program of events which will inject additional tourism revenues into the community,” said Jon Lawrence, speaking on behalf of the Louisbourg Merchants Association.
The total cost of this project is $573,797. The Government of Canada is providing $329,964, of which $306,964 is from ECBC and $23,000 is from Parks Canada. The Province of Nova Scotia is providing $75,000 in marketing assistance and $35,000 through the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage.
Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation offers programs in support of economic development initiatives and is responsible for delivering ACOA’s programs on Cape Breton Island and the Mulgrave area.
For More Information Contact:
D.A. Landry
ECBC Communications
Tel: 902-564-3617
Tina Thibeau
Communications Advisor
Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture and Heritage
Tel: 902-424-4817
John Roulet
President
Louisbourg Merchants’ Association
Tel : 902-733-2117