News Release

For immediate release
February 7, 2004

Canso Causeway 50th Anniversary Celebrations Receive Funding

Port Hastings, N.S. – The Canso Causeway Anniversary Society today received significant funding from the Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC) to assist with plans for a community celebration in the Strait area.

The Canso Causeway Anniversary Society announced they will use the funding to plan and orchestrate celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Canso Causeway. Through this project, a comprehensive strategy will be developed that will include a plan of activities, a fundraising strategy, a marketing and communications plan, as well as specific event coordination and logistics.

“The Government of Canada is committed to supporting strategies that will lead to increased tourism and community infrastructure for Cape Breton,” said the Honourable Joseph McGuire, the Minister responsible for ECBC. “Quality projects like this afford limitless opportunities for attracting visitors. We know that we can build a 21st century economy in the region if we make the necessary investments today.”

“The opening of the Canso Causeway represents a significant event in the history of Cape Breton Island and it is fitting that we mark its 50th anniversary,” said Rodger Cuzner, Member of Parliament for Bras d’Or-Cape Breton. “Not only was the completion of the Causeway a major engineering accomplishment, it enhanced the Island’s transportation infrastructure, providing better access for visitors and residents, as well as facilitating the shipment of goods.”

The Canso Causeway was completed in 1955 and is a mile-long, 80 foot-wide man-made causeway connecting Cape Breton Island to mainland Nova Scotia. Built between 1952 and 1955, it was officially opened with much fanfare on August 13, 1955. The Canso Causeway Anniversary Society wishes to honour the 50th anniversary of the opening and recapture the enthusiasm that was experienced that first day when a procession of 100 bagpipers, in full regalia, led the crowds across the “road to the isle” for the first time.

“The Canso Causeway has become synonymous with Cape Breton Island,” says Bob MacEachern of the Canso Causeway Anniversary Society. “These celebrations will be a focal point for the 2005 tourism season and will provide yet another reason to experience all Cape Breton Island has to offer.”

The Canso Causeway Anniversary Society was incorporated in 1980 to assist in the development of programming to mark the Causeway’s 25th anniversary. The Society was reactivated in 2002, with a mandate to prepare a major celebration for the 50th anniversary in 2005.

The total estimated cost of the project is $500,000. ECBC will provide a
non-repayable contribution totalling $325,000 through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Strategic Community Investment Fund.

The Strategic Community Investment Fund provides $135 million over five years to help communities in Atlantic Canada create an environment that encourages and enhances, among other activities, the development of strategic sectors such as tourism.

Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation offers programs in support of economic development initiatives and is responsible for delivering ACOA's programs on Cape Breton Island and in the Mulgrave area.



FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

Stephen Heckbert
Office of the Honourable Joe McGuire
Minister of ACOA and ECBC
Tel: (613) 948-7293

Office of Rodger Cuzner, MP
Bras d’Or –Cape Breton
Tel: (902) 842-9763

Mr. Bob MacEachern
Co-Chair, Canso Causeway Anniversary Society
Tel: (902) 625-1220

D.A. Landry
ECBC Communications
Tel: (902) 564-3617