March 22, 2024                    Steveston, British Columbia                   Parks Canada

The Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society and Parks Canada work together to conserve the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site in Steveston and share stories of Canada’s West Coast fishing industry with visitors. Today, Parm Bains, Member of Parliament for Steveston-Richmond East, and Elizabeth Batista, Executive Director, Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society, announced a new modernized agreement that will help chart the path forward for the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site. Mr. Bains made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada.

Parks Canada and the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society are proud to share their renewed commitment to collaborate under an agreement that streamlines management and provides more tools such as fundraising flexibility for the Society to carry out its important work. The operation of the site by the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society, on behalf of Parks Canada, highlights the success of community-based cultural heritage stewardship. The Government of Canada is pleased to renew its commitment to the site by providing the Society with continued funding of $640,000 to support and supplement site operation over the coming fiscal year, which represents an increase over previous years.

In addition, Canadians are invited to have their say on the future of the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site by providing feedback on the site’s draft management plan. Management plans are forward-looking, results-based documents that provide a vision of a site at its future best and the strategies for getting there. The final management plan for the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site will guide the site for the next ten years in protecting the cultural resources, developing visitor experiences and learning opportunities, and collaborating with Indigenous communities and other organisations.

Opportunities to provide input on the draft management plan are available both in-person and online until April 19, 2024. To learn how to get involved, visit: https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/bc/georgia/plan/plan1/gestion-management or call 604-513-4777.

Parks Canada administers one of the finest and most extensive systems of cultural and natural heritage places in the world, with a mandate to protect and present these places for the benefit and enjoyment of current and future generations. The Gulf of Georgia Cannery, one of B.C.’s few restored canneries, is an important part of this system.

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