Parks Canada Celebrates Canada's Heritage with Colonel By Day

Government of Canada proud to support Colonel By Day

OTTAWA, Aug. 5, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, is pleased to announce the Government of Canada's support for Colonel By Day which takes place on Monday August 5^th, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ottawa Locks.

"Our government is proud to support and invest in Colonel By Day," said Minister Aglukkaq. "It is a wonderful community celebration that helps create awareness and appreciation for Canadian heritage, the stories of Rideau Canal, and the origins of the city of Ottawa".

Parks Canada is committed to work in partnership with others to foster recreation, tourism and economic development in innovative ways to ensure Canada's historic canal waterways meet their potential as vibrant and animated world-class sites and will contribute to local economies.

Parks Canada's contribution of up to $15,000 for Colonel By Day will be used to support the live heritage family programming and demonstrations which will be happening at Ottawa Locks throughout the day. The event will provide excellent opportunities for visitors to the National Capital Region to experience a snapshot of Canada's history, while enjoying the Rideau Canal operating in its modern context.

Parks Canada's Chief Executive Officer Alan Latourelle added, "We are happy to be working with the Council of Heritage Organizations in Ottawa/ le Conseil des organismes du patrimoine d'Ottawa to help realize Colonel By Day by helping to tell the Rideau Canal's unique heritage story, and by continuing to inspire Canadians to learn about, and experience, this nation's rich history."

Parks Canada is proud of the unique experience opportunities offered on Canada's historic canals. Our team looks forward to welcoming for another season, boaters and canal users as they discover one of the finest interconnected systems of navigation in the world.

For more information on the Rideau Canal please visit www.parkscanada.gc.ca.

SOURCE: Government of Canada