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News Releases
THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA COMMEMORATES SHIPBUILDING AT BURRARD DRY DOCK COMPANY
NORTH VANCOUVER, British Columbia, September 9, 2006 -- On behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Mr. Randy Kamp, Member of Parliament for Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission, formally commemorated the national historic significance of shipbuilding at the Burrard Dry Dock Company with the unveiling of a Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque.
“For more than a century, the Wallace family has produced some of the finest ships to sail the world – from ferries and ice breakers, tugs and other merchant vessels, to the St. Roch and the great Victory ships of the Second World War,” Minister Ambrose said. “It is most fitting that shipbuilding at the Burrard Dry Dock Company be designated of national historic significance. Canada has truly been honoured with vessels from this site.”
Shipbuilding at the Burrard Dry Dock Company was recognized as a national historic event for the company’s outstanding Canadian contribution to the construction of merchant marine vessels and warships during the two world wars. It is also recognized as outstanding among Canadian shipbuilding companies for its role in the development and modernization of shipbuilding on the West Coast.
“The Burrard Dry Dock holds an important and honoured place in the maritime history of Canada and was a site of great industry and economic support for North Vancouver,” said Mr. Kamp. “The stories of shipbuilding at the Burrard Dry Dock Company, and the larger stories of Canada’s maritime history are important not just to people from British Columbia, but to all Canadians. The history they represent is a part of who we are.”
Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of the Environment about the national historic significance of places, persons 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:
Ryan Sparrow
Associate Director and Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(819) 997-1441
Steve Langdon Superintendent
Coastal B.C. Field UnitParks Canada
(250) 654-4048
Backgrounder associated with this News Release.
SHIPBUILDING AT THE BURRARD DRY DOCK COMPANY
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