July 8, 2019
Tourism is an inclusive sector that showcases Canada’s culture, diversity, natural beauty and unique experiences to the world. It delivers economic benefits across the country by supporting one in ten jobs. That’s why the Government of Canada is investing in our tourism sector’s businesses and assets.
Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie announced funding of $100,000 to support the Municipality of the County of Cumberland’s plan to enhance the tourism experience at the Cape d’Or Coastal Park. This investment is being made through the Canadian Experiences Fund (CEF), which supports Canadian businesses and organizations seeking to create, improve or enhance tourism products, facilities and experiences.
Thanks to the government’s support for projects like the improvements at Cape d’Or, Canadians and visitors to Canada will be able to experience the Bay of Fundy, one of the Seven Wonders of North America, through the development of new and unique tourism offerings that will increase the positive economic impact of visitors throughout the Parrsboro Shore.
This announcement takes place after Minister Joly’s announcement of the new tourism strategy: Creating Middle Class Jobs: A Federal Tourism Growth Strategy. The Strategy, which was developed based on feedback from Canadians and the work of the Advisory Council on Jobs and the Visitor Economy, highlights the importance of Canada’s tourism sector as an economic driver for communities across the country.
Quotes
“These investments will enable communities and businesses in all regions of the country to develop tourism products and experiences to attract more tourists year-round. Through our new tourism growth strategy, we want to invest namely is smaller communities so they can attract more tourists like those here in Cumberland County reap the benefits of the global tourism boom to diversify their economies and create good jobs for middle-class. We do that by helping them develop and enhance the experiences they offer tourists like the spectacular Cape d’Or Coastal Park.”
– The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie
“The visitor economy represents one of Canada’s most important growth opportunities. If we want to take full advantage of tourism’s economic potential, we need people in all sectors, from business to government, to play an active role. Our combined efforts will lead to hundreds of thousands of new jobs, greater prosperity in rural and urban regions across the country, and the chance to showcase all that Canada has to offer to the people of the world.”
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minster responsible for ACOA
“Atlantic Canada takes pride in providing distinctive experiential opportunities for visitors while they are on vacation. Unlocking the potential of Cape d’Or represents an opportunity for yet another iconic coastal site providing locals and visitors with even more reasons to explore Atlantic Canada and contribute to the region’s economy.”
– Bill Casey, Member of Parliament for Cumberland-Colchester
“Visitors from across Canada and around the world are inspired to visit our province to experience the world’s highest tides at the Bay of Fundy. This investment will provide much-needed infrastructure at this iconic attraction and provide a new platform for entrepreneurs to create visitor-focused experiences.”
– The Honourable Geoff MacLellan, Minister responsible for Tourism Nova Scotia
“The Municipality is striving to be leaders in tourism in the Fundy Region. For us, Cape d’Or is one of our “building blocks” along the Fundy Shore. The majestic Fundy Shore contains such sites as the UNESCO World Heritage site in Joggins, Cape Chignecto Park in Advocate harbour, which is one of the premier hiking parks in Canada, the Fundy Geological museum in Parrsboro, and an aspiring UNESCO Geopark project. All of this is nestled along the shores of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of North America, the Bay of Fundy. This investment is a major step in enriching the visitor experience here in Cumberland, which will have many benefits to our Region as a whole.”
– Allison Gillis, Warden, Municipality of the County of Cumberland
Quick facts
Tourism represents more than 2% of Canada’s gross domestic product.
Tourism supports more than 1.8 million jobs in Canada.
Regional development agencies are one of Canada’s four flagship platforms supporting innovation, along with the Industrial Research Assistance Program, the Strategic Innovation Fund and the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service.
Canada has six regional development agencies supporting economic development in every region of Canada.
This investment will deliver on recommended improvements in the Cape d’Or Master Plan to encourage development of new, unique tourism products and experiences at Cape d’Or and strengthen business opportunities for the region.
Phase one of the project will include upgraded parking areas, public washrooms, trail upgrades, and signage.
The Government of Canada invested $100,000 in this project through the Canadian Experiences Fund. The Government of Nova Scotia has contributed $92,000 through the Tourism Revitalization of Icons Program, administered by Tourism Nova Scotia. The Municipality of the County of Cumberland is also investing $100,000.