UCLUELET, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 03/06/10 -- On behalf of the Honourable Jim Prentice, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Dr. James Lunney, Member of Parliament for Nanaimo-Alberni, today announced the Government of Canada will provide up to $3.8 million from Canada's Economic Action Plan for improvements in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada, and at the Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites.

"These investments will ensure visitors to Pacific Rim National Park Reserve as well as Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites continue to have high-quality experiences," said Dr. Lunney. "Our commitment to these valuable places will generate important economic benefits and help encourage tourism in Victoria and Vancouver Island's West Coast."

Today's announcement provides funding to improve visitor facilities. Within the 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 the 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 infrastructure, 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 includes $374 million for improvements of facilities and protection of Canada's national parks and national historic sites.

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.

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