OREANDA-NEWS. September 16, 2016. Canada’s national parks and historic sites belong to all Canadians. They represent the very best that Canada has to offer and tell the stories of who we are, including the history, cultures and contributions of Indigenous Peoples.

Today, Mark Gerretsen, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, on behalf of Catherine McKenna, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced almost \\$10 million in funding for Kingston and area sites including Thousand Islands National Park, Fort Henry National Historic Site, Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site, and Bellevue House National Historic Site.

This funding will be used for restoration work on Fort Henry, Kingston Fortifications, and Bellevue House national historic sites. As Canada’s first capital and the home town of our first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, as well as the home of Ontario’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kingston is a culturally significant city in Canada. Improvements to these historic sites will enable Parks Canada to continue sharing the rich and varied heritage of our nation and provide an opportunity for Canadians to learn more about our diverse history.

Other projects include the revitalization of the day-use area and campground at Thousand Islands National Park, as well as the acquisition of two new pieces of property that will become part of Thousand Islands National Park. With this funding, more Canadians, including youth and newcomers, can learn about our environment and cultural heritage, while experiencing the natural wonder of the park.

Investments in the preservation, rehabilitation, and restoration of our national parks and historic sites will protect our heritage and strengthen their appeal as destinations to celebrate our nation's achievements. As we near the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, the Government invites all Canadians to experience and learn more about our environment and our history.

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“The Government is committed to preserving our national parks, while enabling more Canadians to experience the outdoors and learn about our environment and heritage. The projects announced today will ensure safe, high-quality experiences for Canadians and visitors from around the world to these national treasures, while also supporting the local economy and contributing to the growth of the tourism sector.”

Mr. Mark Gerretsen, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands

Quick facts

  • Fort Henry National Historic Site that we see today was constructed between 1832 and 1837, on the site of a previous fort constructed during the War of 1812. Situated at the mouth of the Cataraqui River, and overlooking the confluence of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, the Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site consists of five separate 19th-century military installations. Along with the Rideau Canal, these national historic sites make up a UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  • Constructed as a home for the elites of Canada’s First Capital, Bellevue House National Historic Site is one of Kingston’s architectural treasures and was home to the nation’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald.
  • Established in 1904, Thousand Islands National Park is the oldest national park east of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
  • 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.