(link to official press release)
News Release
Government of Canada Invests Nearly $270 Million to Improve the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site
June 26, 2016 Peterborough, Ontario Parks Canada Agency
Canada’s national parks and historic sites belong to all Canadians. They represent the very best that Canada has to offer, and support Canada’s tourism industry and local economies.
Today, the Minister of Democratic Institutions and Member of Parliament for Peterborough–Kawartha, Maryam Monsef, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, announced a historic federal infrastructure investment of nearly $270 million to restore and improve the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site.
This funding will be used to restore and repair bridges, dams, locks and historic masonry structures, as well as improve visitor safety thanks to new lighting, handrails and signage.
The Trent-Severn Waterway is one of Canada’s most visited national historic sites welcoming more than 1 million visitors every year. It is an integral piece of Canada’s history, and a crucial transportation and recreational link for the region. It also operates as an integrated system that mitigates flooding to ensure public safety.
As we near the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, the Government of Canada invites Canadians to experience and learn more about our environment and our heritage. Canada’s national parks and national historic sites enable Canadians to experience their rich history and heritage in a special way and will play a big part in the celebration of Canada 150. As part of Budget 2016, the Government of Canada announced free lockage will also be free for boaters in 2017.
“This historic infrastructure investment from the Government of Canada will protect and preserve the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site for residents and visitors alike. From First Peoples to fur traders to lumber barons and steamship traffic, the Trent Severn has linked communities across Ontario for hundreds of years. Today’s investment will ensure Canadians can continue to work and play on its shores for generations to come.” – The Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Democratic Institutions and Member of Parliament for Peterborough–Kawartha.
Quick facts
– The Trent-Severn Waterway is Canada’s largest national historic site spanning nearly 400 kilometres and with more physical assets than any other. It has 44 locks, a marine railway and approximately 160 water control structures.
– The new Voyageur Canoe Tours provides an opportunity for visitors to paddle, portage and be immersed in the lifestyle of the voyageur, with a guided paddling experience on the Trent Severn Waterway and through the Peterborough Lift Lock. Additionally, oTENTik accommodations at Lock 24 Douro and Lock 35 Rosedale provide an ideal base camp for exploring the waterway. A cross between a rustic cabin and a tent, the Parks Canada oTENTik is a relaxing, easier way to experience camping.
– Parks Canada is investing an unprecedented $3 billion dollars over 5 years to support infrastructure work to heritage, visitor, waterway and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks and national marine conservation areas across Canada.
2016 Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site Announcement
Grand total investment: $267.5 M*
Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site
The Trent-Severn Waterway flows 386 kilometres across central Ontario, linking the Bay of Quinte on Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay, through a system of rivers, lakes, canals and locks. Operated by Parks Canada, the Trent-Severn Waterway is also Canada’s largest national historic site as the Trent-Severn watershed covers an area over 18,000 square km.
First Nations people have lived and traveled along the route that today makes up the Trent-Severn for many thousands of years. The formalized system of locks, canal and water control structures was built over a period of 87 years, with the first lock built in Bobcaygeon in 1833 and the waterway being completed in 1920.
In addition to being a navigable passage for boaters, the Trent-Severn Waterway offers Canadians and visitors from around the world an opportunity to marvel at remarkable feats of engineering – including 2 lift locks, 2 flight locks, a marine railway, 36 conventional locks, 50 km of canals, and approximately 160 dams and water control structures.