Ceremony and plaque to commemorate St. John River’s national significance

Fredericton, New Brunswick, September 12, 2013 -- The Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) and Regional Minister for New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Canada’s Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, and the Honourable David Alward, Premier of New Brunswick, today announced the designation of the St. John River to the Canadian Heritage Rivers System.

“Canadians can take great pride in this new addition to the Canadian Heritage River System,” said Minister Moore. “This designation recognizes the St. John River’s importance to First Nations and to the development of Canada as a nation. For 10,000 years this waterway has played a pivotal role in this region. It continues to do so even today, connecting communities as it flows 400 kilometres through New Brunswick.”

“The St. John River tells the stories of our province and our country,” said Premier Alward. “This designation will ensure that the rich history of this outstanding Canadian river is celebrated, and its natural and recreational values recognized and conserved for future generations.”

For millennia, various peoples and cultures have relied on and settled along the St. John River. The Wolastoqiyik, or “People of the Beautiful River,” are the original indigenous First Nations population along the St. John River, and have lived along its shores for ten thousand years.

The river played an important role in the settlement of the region, first by the French and then by the British. Known as “The Road to Canada,” the St. John River was a key colonial communication route and has strong links to the military history of Canada, including the War of 1812.

“The designation of the St. John River to the Canadian Heritage Rivers System will create a heightened sense of connection and pride in this historic waterway,” added Minister Aglukkaq. “This designation is based on its outstanding cultural heritage values. This river is not only environmentally and culturally important to the region, but to Canada as a whole.”

The Canadian Heritage Rivers System is Canada’s national river conservation program, through which federal, provincial and territorial governments work with communities to recognize, conserve and manage Canadian rivers that present outstanding natural and/or cultural values and recreational opportunities. For more information on the Canadian Heritage Rivers System, please visit www.chrs.ca.

-30-

Information:
Jennifer Kennedy
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of the Environment, Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency,
and the Arctic Council
jennifer.kennedy@ec.gc.ca
Tel: 819-997-1441

Media Relations
Parks Canada
819-953-8371
www.twitter.com/parkscanada

Backgrounder associated with this News Release.

St. John River Designated to the Canadian Heritage Rivers System