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THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA UNVEILS A PLAQUE COMMEMORATING THE NATIONAL HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE OF NORDEGG’S MINES
NORDEGG, ALBERTA, JULY 29, 2005 -- The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today announced the unveiling of a Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque commemorating the national historic significance of Nordegg’s coal mining landscape.
“The coal mines at Nordegg played an important role in Canada’s coal mining history,” said Minister Dion. “With the spread of railways, this steam coal mine was critical and played a leading role in the second stage of steam coal development. The plaque being unveiled today will help to connect Canadians to this unique part of our shared past.”
Nordegg’s significance is closely tied to the Alberta and southeastern British Columbia coal mining region. This area’s output rivaled the Nova Scotia mining region by the First World War. The Nordegg area, where the Brazeau Collieries were located, still contains evidence of the mines including one of the best surviving examples of a surface plant in Canada.
In the year of Alberta’s centennial, Parks Canada is commemorating the national historic significance of the Nordegg coal mining landscape, which was designated as a national historic site of Canada in 2001. As part of the commemoration, a Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque describing the mine’s historic significance is being permanently placed at the mines to help Canadians better appreciate and understand the site’s importance.
“At Nordegg, the historical landscape reflects the roles of entrepreneurs, labour and evolving technologies in an industry that played a central role in the development of the West after the First World War,” Minister Dion added. “Through today’s commemoration, the importance of this unique place in Canada’s past will be remembered for generations to come.”
Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of the Environment about the national historic significance of places, people and events that have marked Canada’s history. The placement of a commemorative plaque represents an official recognition of their historic value. It is one means of educating the public about the richness of our cultural heritage, which must be preserved for present and future generations.
Information:
André Lamarre
Director of Communications
Office of the Ministerof the Environment
(819) 997-1441
Marjorie Huculak
Executive Services/Media Relations Manager
Banff Field Unit
Parks Canada
(403) 762-1526
“The coal mines at Nordegg played an important role in Canada’s coal mining history,” said Minister Dion. “With the spread of railways, this steam coal mine was critical and played a leading role in the second stage of steam coal development. The plaque being unveiled today will help to connect Canadians to this unique part of our shared past.”
Nordegg’s significance is closely tied to the Alberta and southeastern British Columbia coal mining region. This area’s output rivaled the Nova Scotia mining region by the First World War. The Nordegg area, where the Brazeau Collieries were located, still contains evidence of the mines including one of the best surviving examples of a surface plant in Canada.
In the year of Alberta’s centennial, Parks Canada is commemorating the national historic significance of the Nordegg coal mining landscape, which was designated as a national historic site of Canada in 2001. As part of the commemoration, a Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque describing the mine’s historic significance is being permanently placed at the mines to help Canadians better appreciate and understand the site’s importance.
“At Nordegg, the historical landscape reflects the roles of entrepreneurs, labour and evolving technologies in an industry that played a central role in the development of the West after the First World War,” Minister Dion added. “Through today’s commemoration, the importance of this unique place in Canada’s past will be remembered for generations to come.”
Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of the Environment about the national historic significance of places, people and events that have marked Canada’s history. The placement of a commemorative plaque represents an official recognition of their historic value. It is one means of educating the public about the richness of our cultural heritage, which must be preserved for present and future generations.
Information:
André Lamarre
Director of Communications
Office of the Ministerof the Environment
(819) 997-1441
Marjorie Huculak
Executive Services/Media Relations Manager
Banff Field Unit
Parks Canada
(403) 762-1526
