Parks Canada invites the public to give their views on the draft management plan for the Lachine Canal National Historic Site

MONTREAL, June 12, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Parks Canada is pleased to invite the public to give their views on the draft management plan for the Lachine Canal National Historic Site. A founding infrastructure that has shaped Montreal's history, this 14.5 kilometre waterway—today used as a linear park and gathering place—played a key role in the development of Canada's canal network connecting the heart of the continent to the Atlantic Ocean.

The draft management plan was developed with the benefit of a visioning exercise conducted in 2015 with a range of stakeholders. It contains strategies and key objectives for the management and operation of this National Historic Site for the next 10 to 15 years. The public is requested to comment on proposed aspects such as giving the Lachine Canal a strong and distinctive identity, increasing services, refreshing the visitor experience, mobilizing communities, and increasing awareness of the network of sites managed by Parks Canada.

The Agency today invites visitors, residents of adjacent neighbourhoods and Montrealers at large, partners and organizations who wish to make their voices heard to take part in the various consultation activities surrounding this draft plan. Those interested may consult a summary of the plan and comment on it online until July 1st, 2017, at the following site: consultationscanal.ca.

Kiosks will be set up in various locations to gather the opinions of citizens and visitors:

• Thursdays, June 15th and June 22nd, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Lionel-Groulx metro station.
• The weekends of June 17-18 and June 24-25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Atwater kiosk by the Lachine Canal (southwest corner of Atwater and Saint-Ambroise streets); at Lock No. 1 in the Old Port of Montreal (near the Marché des Éclusiers located at 400 de la Commune West); and the Lachine Visitor Services Centre (500 Chemin des Iroquois, H8S 4H5).

This will also be a great opportunity to find out about the activities on offer as part of Canada's 150th birthday celebrations and to experience outdoors and learn more on our history.

Finally, a public meeting will take place on Monday, June 19th, at 7 p.m., in the Espace Canal room of the Château Saint-Ambroise, located at 4020 Saint-Ambroise Street. Those who would like to attend are invited to register online at UVNQ.commmunications@pc.gc.ca or by phone at 514-375-2724.

For more information about the proposed vision and consultation activities, and to fill out the online form, please visit consultationscanal.ca.

Quote

"National parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas represent the very best that Canada has to offer and they belong to all Canadians. I invite everyone to share their views on the Lachine Canal Historic Site so that, together, we can build a vibrant plan and common vision for this unique and important place."

The Honourable Catherine McKenna
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

Quick facts

• As a requirement of the Canada National Parks Act, the management plans guide Parks Canada's places management and are reviewed every 10 years.
• Forging a link between the city and nature, the Lachine Canal is a magnificent 14.5 km-long urban park that runs through the heart of Montreal. The Lachine Canal National Historic Site of Canada commemorates the role played by the Lachine Canal in the 19th and 20th centuries at the forefront of the network of canals connecting the heart of the continent to the Atlantic Ocean via the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.
• Visited by over a million people every year, the Lachine Canal is an important gathering place and a major tourist attraction in Montreal.

Associated links

www.consultationscanal.ca

Parks Canada

Lachine Canal National Historic Site

SOURCE Agence Parcs Canada - Unité des voies navigables

For further information: Marie-Ève Francoeur, Partnering, Engagement and Communications Officer, Quebec Waterways, Parks Canada, 450-447-4824, marie-eve.francoeur@pc.gc.ca; Media Relations, Parks Canada Agency, 855-862-1812, pc.media@pc.gc.ca

RELATED LINKS
www.parcscanada.gc.ca/canaux