March 29, 2019 – Elgin, NB – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Investments in community infrastructure are necessary to strengthen the middle class and provide municipalities with the building blocks they need to support a high standard of living for all Canadians and their families. Enabling Atlantic Canadian communities to build on their tourism offerings helps to attract more visitors to the region, create more jobs and strengthen the local economy.
With the help of the Government of Canada, the Elgin Eco Association Inc. completed upgrades to a historic maple sugar camp located in the Mapleton Acadian Forest Nature Preserve. The preservation of the camp structure will enable it to serve both as an education site to illustrate traditional maple syrup production and as a tourism asset in the area. The Government of Canada provided a contribution of more than $8,000 for the project through the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program (CIP150).
Alaina Lockhart, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie and Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), joined officials from the Elgin Eco Association Inc. today to participate in a funding announcement and celebrate the completed upgrades to the maple sugar camp.
CIP 150 provided up to $300 million nationally over two years to support projects to rehabilitate, renovate and expand community and recreational infrastructure as part of the Government of Canada's activities to honour Canada's 150th anniversary of Confederation. These investments helped create jobs, boost economic activity, strengthen communities and celebrate Canada's rich heritage and history.
"This investment was a community-building project to celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary. And there's no better way to mark this milestone than to celebrate the places that bring us together—the places that allow us to stay fit, unwind and connect with our friends and neighbours. That's how we establish the bonds of common understanding and friendship in a country where people come from every corner of the world. The values of openness, diversity and inclusion that define all Canadians are forged in our community."
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
"The maple sugar camp in Elgin provides us a vibrant and historical place to gather as a community to celebrate our heritage and culture. It's great spaces like this that strengthen our communities and make them even better places to live and raise families. Winter and spring tourism experiences, like maple sugar season, create opportunities to showcase the beauty of our region and spur the local economy. Congratulations to the Elgin Eco Association (EEA), for your hard work and dedication to ensuring the Sugar Camp continues to serve us for years into the future. I am so pleased our government could contribute to EEA's efforts through the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program."
- Alaina Lockhart, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie and Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal
"The Elgin Eco Association and the Nature Trust of New Brunswick would like to thank ACOA for its financial contribution to repair and upgrade the Mapleton Acadian Forest Nature Preserve Sugar Camp. This funding will deliver an opportunity for tourists and local citizens to experience and learn about the workings of a maple sugar camp throughout the year. This would not have been possible without government support."
- Moranda van Geest, President – Elgin Eco Association Inc.
Quick facts
-
The Elgin Eco Association received a non-repayable contribution of $8,384 through the Government of Canada's Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program.
-
CIP150 is administered by ACOA in the Atlantic region.
-
The Elgin Eco Association is committed to promoting the viability of the small rural community of Elgin by promoting environmentally friendly practices such as eco-tourism, recreation and employment, and working to protect and improve the environment.
