Chapel Point Battery to be restored into a major military tourism attraction to commemorate Sydney Harbour war efforts

November 30, 2018 – Sydney, NS – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Facilitating meaningful and reflective opportunities to remember Canada's historical war contributions will attract new visitors, sustain growth in Atlantic Canada's tourism sector and strengthen the region's economy. That is why the Atlantic Memorial Park (AMP) Society and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) are working to diversify Cape Breton's year-round tourism offerings through the establishment of the Atlantic Memorial Park.

This project will provide historical learning opportunities for visitors to Atlantic Canada and strengthen bonds with Canadian veterans through improved access to the Chapel Point Battery site, the revitalization of the command post and the installation of directional and informative signage.

Today, the Honourable Mark Eyking, Member of Parliament for Sydney – Victoria, announced Government of Canada support for the restoration of the Chapel Point Battery, where hundreds of ships once assembled during the Second World War, to commemorate the role it played in defending Sydney Harbour during three separate military conflicts.

MP Eyking made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and of the Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs.

The Government of Canada is providing $420,230 through ACOA's Innovative Communities Fund to the project, as well as an additional $30,000 through Veterans Affairs Canada's Commemorative Partnership Program. The Province of Nova Scotia is also contributing $28,850 through the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage and Membertou Band Council is investing $5,000.

This investment builds on commitments made by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces to drive economic growth in the region through the Atlantic Growth Strategy, which supports strategic investments in line with Canada's Tourism Vision to make Canada a top-ten global tourism destination by 2025.