Rising above the cliffs in vivid red, the Sainte-Marthe-de-Gaspé Lighthouse has long been a beacon for mariners and a proud landmark for the community
Today, the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature, announced the designation of the Sainte-Marthe-de-Gaspé Lighthouse under the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act.
The Sainte-Marthe-de-Gaspé Lighthouse, also known as the La Martre Lighthouse, has been designated as a heritage lighthouse for its historical, architectural, and community significance. Built in 1906, this striking red octagonal tower stands over 19 metres high on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River and is considered a highly distinctive and visual landmark for mariners and visitors alike.
Part of a chain of lighthouses that improved navigation through the St. Lawrence Gulf and River during the 19th and early 20th centuries, Sainte-Marthe-de-Gaspé Lighthouse played a key role in supporting international shipping and the local fishing industry. Its distinctive architecture, with classical detailing, panoramic views, and original wood-frame construction, reflects a style common to Canadian lighthouses of the era.
Today, perched atop an 18-metre cliff, the lighthouse continues to attract visitors. The local community acquired the lighthouse in 1982 and since then, has developed exhibits and opened the site to the public, preserving its legacy as both a navigational aid and a cultural treasure.
With this new designation, 115 lighthouses in eight provinces have now been protected under the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act. They include some of the country's most architecturally and historically significant lighthouses, including the Fisgard Lighthouse in British Columbia, the Île du Pot à l'Eau-de-Vie Lighthouse in Quebec, and Point Amour Lighthouse in Newfoundland and Labrador, which are valued symbols of our country's maritime heritage.
The Government of Canada continues to work in close collaboration with community groups, Indigenous Peoples, and other levels of government to facilitate the designation of heritage lighthouses and ensure their protection for the benefit and enjoyment for generations to come. Designations under the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act are made by the Minister responsible for Parks Canada on the recommendation of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.
