News Release

For immediate release
June 14, 2002

CHETICAMP'S NEWEST ACADIAN HERITAGE ATTRACTION OFFICIALLY OPENS

CHETICAMP, N.S. -- La Pirogue Museum, Cheticamp's newest addition to the tourism, heritage and cultural attractions of that historic community was officially opened today. Along with creating three full-time equivalent jobs, the Museum enhances visitors' experiences, which is important to maintaining Cape Breton Island's standing as a popular tourism destination. 

"The Acadian culture here in Cheticamp is vibrant and thriving and the community has a very rich history. The people take pride in their cultural heritage, both past and present, and are using it to develop their future," said Rodger Cuzner, Member of Parliament for Bras d'Or - Cape Breton, speaking on behalf of Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC), and Jane Stewart, Minister for Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC). "The Museum continues the evolution of the community's successful waterfront development initiatives which have been well received by visitors and the community."

La Pirogue Museum was established by the Cheticamp Development Commission. It provides an interactive experience tracing both the history of the fishing industry and that of the Co-operative Movement in the Cheticamp area through the use of animators, interactive exhibits and a collection of materials and artifacts. 

“We’re pleased to support this project,” said Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism and Culture for Nova Scotia. “La Pirogue captures a part of our heritage that attracts visitors to our province.”

The total estimated cost of the project is $1,201,066. The Government of Canada contributed $175,000 through ECBC, $650,600 through the Fisheries Restructuring Adjustment Measures Program (FRAM) and $320,466 under a Job Creation Partnership through Human Resources Development Canada. The Province of Nova Scotia contributed $50,000 and the Municipality of the County of Inverness made a $5,000 contribution.

Funding for this project was provided for in the February 2000 Federal budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework.

In June 1998, the Government of Canada announced that $93.8 million would be set aside for the economic development component of the
$730 million Fisheries Restructuring and Adjustment Measures (FRAM) in the four Atlantic provinces. The amount available for affected communities in Nova Scotia is $21.3 million. This amount is available over three years for long-term, sustainable economic development initiatives in communities and areas in Nova Scotia affected by the permanent downsizing of the Atlantic groundfishery. On Cape Breton Island, ECBC works in partnership with key regional and community development stakeholders to implement the economic development initiatives of the FRAM program. 

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

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
Peter A. H. Graham, Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State for ECBC & ACOA
Tel: (613) 957-9959
Fax: (613) 941-7844

Office of Rodger Cuzner, M.P. 
Bras d’Or-Cape Breton 
Tel.: (902) 842-9763
Fax: (902) 842-9025

Marcie Stanley, Communications Officer
Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation
Tel: (902) 564﷓7876
Fax:(902) 564﷓3825

Sheila Cannon
Human Resources Development Canada
Tel: (902) 625-4130

Mathias Poirier, Executive Director 
Cheticamp Development Commission 
Tel: (902) 224-3349