March 20, 2009

Jim Prentice, federal Minister of the Environment and the minister responsible for Parks Canada, visited Halifax and the Citadel this past Friday. The Minister announced $25 million in funding for tourism destinations in Nova Scotia as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan. $6 million of this funding will be allocated to the Halifax Defense Complex with $4 million going to the Citadel itself. This money will be used to replace the slate roof of the South Magazine and to stabilize 370 meters of the wall and musketry gallery. An additional $3.5 million is to be spent on improving the infrastructure on George's Island. The work will include new wharf facilities, electricity and water.

In addition to his announcements regarding funding, the Minister had the pleasure of giving the command to fire the noon gun at Citadel Hill.  The gun crew consisted of Corporal John Todd Martin, Corporal Gabriel Purcell, Bombadier Thomas Dalton, Bombadier Graeme Hill, Gunner Timothy Burns and Gunner Alexander Long.