At a news conference today at the historic Charlottetown waterfront, the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and His Worship Mayor Clifford Lee announced a strategic initiative designed to further develop Charlottetown’s unique position as the Birthplace of Canada.

The Confederation Birthplace Initiative will combine and coordinate efforts among all government departments and other agencies to ensure a single identity, branding and strategy for the Birthplace of Canada.

“As Minister of ACOA, I can tell you that Canada’s New Government is proud to recognize Charlottetown’s unique and significant place in our collective history,” said Minister Mackay. “Accordingly, I am pleased that ACOA is poised to play a key role in the realization of the Confederation Birthplace Initiative, through collaboration with our provincial and municipal partners. Through ACOA programming, we anticipate that approximately $2 million will be invested as we develop the many elements of this important project.”

First steps under the Initiative will be taken immediately with the appointment of an advisory board to oversee the preparation and implementation of a focused, intergovernmental strategic plan. The plan will focus on three key areas for the development and promotion of the Birthplace of Confederation: Streetscapes, Festivals and Events and Significant Initiatives.

“From the strategic plan, we want to provide the tools to enable the public and private development and promotion of the historic significance of Charlottetown and have all parties working together to achieve common goals,” said Mayor Lee. “We also want to encourage and enable the restoration of properties and amenities to their historic accuracy and relevance and build a culture of heritage.”

The concept of the Confederation Birthplace Initiative evolved from an independent consultant’s study commissioned earlier this year by the City. The Advisory Board will be comprised of representatives from the federal, provincial and municipal governments as well as local interest groups.

Minister MacKay also announced that ACOA has recently approved projects which complement the Initiative’s mandate. Work is now underway on Sydney Street thanks to a streetscape project to which ACOA is providing $209,000 under its Business Development Program. The City of Charlottetown will contribute $38,820. This project follows recently completed streetscape enhancements to Queen Street, which also received ACOA funding.

Also complementing the initiative are recent upgrades to Founder’s Hall, which allowed for the inclusion of the Charlottetown Visitors’ Information Centre within the birthplace pavilion. ACOA provided $500,000 to that project under its Business Development Program. The Charlottetown Area Development Corporation contributed $167,000.

FOR BROADCAST USE:

At a news conference today at the historic Charlottetown waterfront, Foreign Affairs and ACOA Minister Peter MacKay and Charlottetown mayor Clifford Lee announced a strategic initiative designed to further develop Charlottetown’s unique position as the Birthplace of Canada. The Confederation Birthplace Initiative will combine and coordinate efforts among all government departments and other agencies to ensure a single identity, branding and strategy for the Birthplace of Canada. First steps under the Initiative will be the appointment of an advisory board to oversee the development of a strategic plan for the initiative.

For more information, please contact:

Lynn MacDonald
ACOA PEI and Tourism
902-566-7491

Wayne Long
City of Charlottetown
902-629-4023