SPEAKING NOTES

Leif Ericson Park Grand Opening

Greg Kerr
Minister of Parliament, West Nova Scotia
On behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore
Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)

Friday, July 25, 2014

2:00 p.m.
Trail head by the Cape Forchu Lighthouse
1856, Highway 334
Cape Forchu, Nova Scotia

Check against delivery

Thank you Mr. (John) Cunningham for your kind introduction.

(Emcee: John Cunningham, Chair of the Board, YASTA)

Good afternoon / Bonjour,

Warden (Murray) Goodwin, (Municipality of the District of Yarmouth)

Friends of the Yarmouth Light,

Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen.

Its a pleasure to be here with you in Cape Forchu today to

celebrate this special occasion.

Its been almost a year and a half since I had the opportunity to
announce that our Government, through the Community
Infrastructure Improvement Fund, would be providing $125,000 to
help revitalize Leif Ericson Park.

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For years, visitors and local residents have been walking these
paths although difficult at times - to take in the areas natural
charm. Just beyond this trailhead lies the mesmerizing beauty of
the sea, coastal wildlife, fishing vessels, and more.

This project has taken a once limited trail and has transformed it
into a place for everyone to enjoy - with wheelchair accessible
pathways and routes.

The significant enchancements of the area include:

improved access through the gorge area for trail users,
upgrades to the existing walkways with new timbers and
ashphalt,
the installation of interpretive signage,
expansion to picnic areas, and

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the creation of six concrete look-offs where visitors can

imagine watching Samuel de Champlains ship as he
approached landfall back in 1604.

Im proud to stand here with members of the Municipality of the

District of Yarmouth and congratulate them on their dedication to
creating economic growth and opportunities for our communities.

Our Government remains focused on delivering strategic

community and economic development programs that have
long-lasting, positive impacts.

Recreational amenities such as Leif Ericson Park help support

active, healthy lifelstyles and are important community assets
bringing families and residents together.

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In addition to enhancing our local quality of life, they also generate

economic activity and jobs for local businesses through tourism.

Recognized as one of Canadas Best Public Spaces in 2012 by the

Canada Institute of Planners, Leif Ericson Park and Cape Forchu
offer a wealth of history and beauty for visitors from near and far.

As many of you may know, Leif Ericson, for whom the park is
named, was a European explorer who is believed to have visited
this area nearly 500 years before Christopher Columbus.

Surrounded by ancient, sea-washed rocks, this trail is a vistors

delight, and a geologists dream. The rocks of Yarmouth County
represent four geological periods in Earth's history and tell a story
about the environment and the people who inhabited these lands
well before European settlement.

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Walking these trails, we follow in the footsteps of history. The

improvements to the Park allow this history to be remembered,
celebrated and shared.

With the summer season upon us, its a fitting time to be able to
offer this enhanced experience to the local community and to our
visitors.

Through your efforts, you are helping us to deliver on our

Governments mandate to diversify local economies, improve
community infrastructure and develop economic opportunities.

In closing, let me congratulate all of you whose hard work and

determination have made the revitalization of the Leif Ericson Park
a reality.

Thank you / Merci

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