Money is being poured into Halifax Citadel, George’s Island and Fort McNab as part of a $30-million infrastructure improvement project to national historic sites across Nova Scotia.
Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment and minister responsible for Parks Canada, made the announcement Friday in Halifax.
Overall, $4 million will go to the Halifax Citadel site, with $3.5 million for the stabilization of approximately 370 metres of the counterscarp wall and associated musketry gallery. The other $500,000 is marked for the roof recapitalization on the southern magazine.
At George’s Island, $3.5 million is going towards the construction of wharf facilities and to support the development of the island becoming an operational site, open to the public.
As for Fort McNab, $2 million is going towards the stabilization of selected historic assets that will lead to safe, unguided public access. In addition, another $1.2 million is for the remediation of the former Department of National Defence petroleum handling and storage area.
The money, part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan released during the federal budget in February, also includes $14 million for repaving and widening of the Cabot Trail.
“(Parks Canada) has gone through their requirements in Atlantic Canada, specifically in Nova Scotia and we have addressed the priority items,” Prentice told reporters after making the announcement. “They are items at the top of list in terms of Parks Canada and the restoration of some of the facilities.
“This addresses the most pressing needs.”
As well Friday, Prentice announced over $500,000 towards Canada’s Habitat Stewardship Program, as money will be given to Nova Scotia Nature Trust, the Canadian Sea Turtle Network based in Halifax and to Acadia University for its various initiatives to protect the Banding’s turtle and eastern ribbon snake.
