Government of Canada Invests in Tourism Infrastructure in Pacific Rim National Park and other Historic Sites on Vancouver Island

Canada’s Economic Action Plan at work in British Columbia

Pacific Rim National Park, British-Columbia, March 6, 2010 – Dr. James Lunney, Member of Parliament for Nanaimo-Alberni, 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 $3.8 million from Canada’s Economic Action Plan (EAP) for improvements in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada, as well as Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse national historic sites. 

“Pacific Rim Park, Long Beach as well as Fort Rodd and Fisgard Lighthouse national historic sites are major attractions for locals and visitors alike. Investments like these are essential to showcase these Vancouver Island attractions,” said Lunney. “Our commitment to these valuable resources will generate important economic benefits and help encourage tourism on Vancouver Island’s West Coast and Victoria.”

Today’s announcement provides much needed funding to improve visitor facilities. Within Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, the investment will fund repairs to the roof and entrance ramp of the Wickaninnish Beach Interpretive Centre. It will also support upgrades to the water and sewer facilities in the Long Beach area and fund the replacement of the Sandstone Creek Bridge on the West Coast Trail. At Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites, the funding will result in a new roof for the washroom building, the installation of new sewage infrastructure, and improvements to the entrance area.

“Canada’s Economic Action Plan is stimulating 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 enhance visitor infrastructures, create jobs and economic activity right away, and help conserve key assets that are an integral part of these Parks Canada properties.”

Canada’s Economic Action Plan set aside $374 million for improvements of facilities and protection of Canada’s national parks and national historic sites. Our Government is now working to deliver Phase II of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, which will see continued stimulus measures, as well as preparation to return to balanced budgets and help to secure Canada’s economic future.

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.
For additional information, please see the accompanying backgrounder at www.parkscanada.gc.ca under Media Room.