Multiple projects in Cape Breton Highlands National Park and national historic sites in Cape Breton will improve infrastructure and climate change resiliency and support recovery from Hurricane Fiona
Ingonish – The network of protected areas administered by Parks Canada is a gateway to nature, history, and 450 000 km² of stories from coast to coast to coast. Investing in these locations helps protect natural and built heritage, increase climate resiliency, and create jobs in local communities, while providing visitors and residents with high-quality, safe, and meaningful experiences across the country.
Jaime Battiste, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, and Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, on behalf of Steven Guilbeault, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced approximately $43 million for infrastructure improvements and projects related to Hurricane Fiona recovery in Parks Canada administered places on Cape Breton Island. This devastating storm caused significant damage to the national park’s infrastructure, as well as other places administered by Parks Canada in Cape Breton/Unama’ki, including the Fortress of Louisbourg and Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Sites.
Projects made possible by funding announced today will improve infrastructure that is well-known and loved by visitors and residents, such as trails, facilities, roadways, and bridges, and including the Cabot Trail. Bolstering infrastructure will help ensure a safe travelling experience, enhanced visitor opportunities, and increased resiliency of critical infrastructure to severe weather caused by climate change. These projects align with Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy, which lays out an agreed-upon framework to reduce the risk of climate-related disasters, improve health outcomes, protect nature and biodiversity, build and maintain resilient infrastructure, and support a strong economy and workers.
More than just supporting visitors as cornerstones of Canada’s tourism industry, assets in the places Parks Canada administers play a critical role in transportation, water management, public safety, and services to residents and businesses, while being a source of shared pride for Canadians. Infrastructure upgrades will help ensure public safety, quality and reliability in visitor offers, incorporate climate resilience, and increase accessibility, while connecting Canadians with nature and history.