A Federal-Provincial Announcement For Fort Henry National Historic Site Of Canada

August 29, 2007

Ladies and gentlemen,

On behalf of the Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada,
I am pleased to be here with you today at Fort Henry, one of Canada’s most popular visitor attractions.

Our historic sites, such as Fort Henry, teach us lessons that are timeless. The Fort’s popularity shows how much Canadians are interested in their country’s history. It is a spectacular place to bring children, and to discover with them the realm of 19th century military life and the courage of those who helped protect Canada and shape its identity.

In 1832, the construction of the Rideau Canal had just been completed. This new waterway placed Point Henry at the intersection of three important waterways: the Rideau Canal, the St. Lawrence River, and Lake Ontario and adjacent to the Royal Naval Dockyard which provided critical naval protection on Lake Ontario in the event of an American attack. 

The fort where we stand today was built between 1832 and 1848 following the Rideau Canal’s completion.

British forces garrisoned the fort until 1870. Since 1938, with the exception of the years of the Second World War, the Province of Ontario has operated Fort Henry as a visitor attraction. In 1958, the St. Lawrence Parks Commission, an agency of the province, became responsible for its operation.

Designated a national historic site in 1923 by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, Fort Henry is part of a Canada-wide family of special places. Each national park, national historic site and marine conservation area in the Parks Canada family tells its own story.

Today, the extensive variety of programming at Fort Henry, including the performances of the internationally acclaimed Fort Henry Guard, invites visitors from all across Canada and around the world to learn more about Kingston’s long military tradition and helps them understand the significance of this important time in Canadian history.

The Fort has provided memorable experiences to millions of visitors who pass through its gates.

The year 2007 has certainly been an incredible one for Fort Henry and for all of Eastern Ontario. As owner and operator of the Rideau Canal, Parks Canada has been publicly celebrating the 175th anniversary of the opening of the Rideau Canal.

Adding to the Rideau 175 festivities, was the announcement this past June that the Rideau Canal, Fort Henry and the Kingston Fortifications were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Canadians have long viewed Fort Henry as a national treasure and the world now joins us in recognizing and celebrating this outstanding place.

Canada is honoured by, and recognizes the significance of UNESCO’s designation.

Today, our very own Fort Henry, is the recipient of more great news. I am proud to announce that the federal government will be contributing $19.5 million to Fort Henry, beginning in 2010/11 with $1.5 million in that first year, and then continuing with a $3 million commitment in each of the succeeding six years. This funding is in addition to the $20 million announced my Minister Baird to undertake key capital repairs on the other key element of the World Heritage Site: the Rideau Canal. 

The new contribution of $19.5 million beginning in 2010/11 and spreading over 7 years will be used for the Conservation Program Re-capitalization Projects. 

This will be a continuation of the Fort Henry stabilization project of 2002-2007 that resolved the Fort’s most urgent and pressing structural problems.

In addition, in cooperation with the Province of Ontario, Parks Canada – as the owners of Fort Henry  – and the St. Lawrence Parks Commission – as the operators of it – have signed a new federal-provincial agreement for the operation of Fort Henry.

The signing of the Fort Henry Memorandum Agreement and the Fort Henry National Historic Site lease represent the on-going commitment of Parks Canada and the St. Lawrence Parks Commission to the continued protection of Fort Henry and to the continuation of the St. Lawrence Parks Commission’s award winning programming at the site.

I am thrilled to be here, with the Province of Ontario, to make this joint announcement.

But, the good news does not stop there.  On behalf of Minister Baird, I have the privilege of announcing another contribution for the restorative work on Cathcart Tower, which is part of the Kingston Fortifications.
The Government of Canada awarded a competitive contract of a little more than $1.4M to stabilize and restore the historic appearance of the tower.

With this funding and the new federal-provincial agreement, together we ensure visitors are given the opportunity to understand the importance of Fort Henry and what it has meant for generations past, what it represents for today’s Canadians and what cultural treasures it holds for future generations. A visit to Fort Henry – a journey into 1860s military life – certainly leaves a lasting impression.

The government of Canada has committed close to $40 million to preserve and protect Canada’s newest World Heritage Site. 

This demonstrates our commitment to protecting one of the most significant examples of Canada’s outstanding heritage.  LONG LIVE FORT HENRY!

This summer has been filled with activities at Fort Henry, activities for the 175th anniversary of the Canal and celebrations for the UNESCO World Heritage designation.  Each of those activities have presented unique opportunities for memorable experiences and great learning opportunities for local residents and tourists.

Thanks to the dedicated work of Parks Canada and the St. Lawrence Parks Commission, local residents, Canadians, and tourists from around the world will get to know Fort Henry and learn to enjoy Canada’s special places even more. This will without a doubt contribute to preparing new cohorts of stewards, guides, and storytellers for today and for tomorrow.

I am honoured to be part of this wonderful announcement for Fort Henry, an historic site that’s dear to all Canadians.

I invite all Canadians to visit Fort Henry and to experience the famous Fort Henry Guard, which I am anxious to enjoy this evening during their spectacular Sunset Ceremony.

Thank you, and have a great night.