Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario,—People with disabilities in Niagara will soon benefit from improved accessibility in their communities as a result of funding from the Government of Canada. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., Member of Parliament for Niagara Falls and Minister of National Defence, on behalf of the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development, at The Shaw Festival, which is receiving grant funding under the Enabling Accessibility Fund.

The Shaw Festival is receiving $50,000 which will allow The Shaw to make accessibility upgrades to the Royal George and Festival Theatres, along with its Production Centre. The funding is being provided through the Enabling Accessibility Fund, which has supported over 1 000 projects across the country since the first call for proposals in 2008.

To continue to improve accessibility in facilities across Canada, including in workplaces, the Government of Canada proposed in Economic Action Plan 2013 to extend the Enabling Accessibility Fund on an ongoing basis at $15 million per year.

In addition, Economic Action Plan (EAP) 2013 proposes to strengthen federal programming for people with disabilities to help them get the skills and training they need to gain better access to the labour market. This includes $40 million per year in ongoing funding for the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities, starting in 2015–16, to help more people with disabilities overcome barriers to employment and train for in-demand jobs.

QUEENSTON, Ontario,– The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., Member of Parliament for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced an investment in the Friends of Laura Secord for the Laura Secord Bicentennial Event and Commemorative Walk. Funding will help residents and visitors learn about the important role played by Laura Secord, also known as the Heroine of Beaver Dams, during the War of 1812.

“Tomorrow we will mark the 200^th anniversary of Laura Secord’s historic walk to warn the British outpost of an impending enemy attack. It is most fitting that it be remembered with this re-enactment,” said Minister Nicholson. “We are proud to help commemorate the efforts of our heroes and to tell the stories of the accomplishments that led to the evolution of the Canada we know today.”

The event will recreate the trek taken by Laura Secord in 1813. The commemorative walk will be held on June 22, 2013, and will cross four municipalities, as well as historic forested Aboriginal trails and urban streetscapes. Close to 5,000 participants are expected to join the re‑enactment of Laura Secord’s journey.

“This generous contribution will help to ensure that Laura Secord, a cherished national icon, is commemorated in a most historically appropriate way,” said Caroline McCormick, President, Friends of Laura Secord. “This event will encourage an interest in her legacy and in other unsung heroes of the time. The Legacy Trail and educational resources will provide an enduring legacy for years to come. We hope that everyone will take the opportunity to walk into history with us on June 22.”

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $171,500 over two years to the Friends of Laura Secord through Canadian Heritage’s 1812 Commemoration Fund. The Fund supports community-based projects to foster greater awareness and understanding of the importance of this conflict.

Visit 1812.gc.ca to learn more about the Fight for Canada.

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario,– On behalf of the Honourable Peter Kent, Canada’s Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., Member of Parliament for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, launched the historical re-enactment of the Battle of Fort George. The re-enactment commemorates an epic battle honouring those whose lives were lost in battle over 200 years ago.

“The Battle of Fort George was a significant event for the families living in Niagara Township during the War of 1812,” said Minister Nicholson. “On this day two hundred years ago, British Regulars and the men of the Lincoln Militia fought one of the grimmest and bloodiest battle of their lives in order to stall an overwhelming enemy force. Their sacrifice on that day was key in stemming the American invasion, and set up events that would allow British and Canadian forces to cross the Niagara River and capture Fort Niagara in December of 1813.”

Parks Canada hosted thousands of Canadians to witness hundreds of re-enactors taking part in the re-enactment performance of the Battle of Fort George. The re-enactment commemorates a pivotal battle in the Niagara region during the War of 1812. U.S. forces used the fort as a base to invade the rest of Upper Canada and after a seven month occupation, the fort was recaptured in December of 1813 and remained in British hands for the remainder of the war. The defending force included British regulars from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles which included Scots, English and French Canadians as well as some Canadians of African heritage; the Royal Newfoundland Fencibles, and First Nations allies from the Grand River.

Parks Canada works to ensure Canada’s historic and natural heritage is protected and, through a network of 44 national parks, 167 national historic sites, and four national marine conservation areas, invites Canadians and people from around the world to engage in personal moments of inspiring discovery at our treasured natural and historic places.

For more information on the Battle of Fort George, please visit www.parkscanada.gc.ca.

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ontario,– The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., Member of Parliament for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced support for the Niagara Historical Society to commemorate the 200^th anniversary of the War of 1812.

This investment will allow the organization to create a mobile version of the production “Flames of War,” enhanced by a virtual edition of the exhibition “Niagara on the Eve of War.” The production will tour throughout Canada in the summer and fall of 2013. To date, 32 communities across Canada have expressed interest in hosting the production and virtual exhibit.

“We are pleased to support the Niagara Historical Society as they move forward with this project that will bring the events of the War of 1812 to a wider audience,” said Minister Nicholson. “Now Canadians in communities across the country will now have an opportunity to see this production and learn more about this defining chapter in our history.”

“Our Government is proud to invest in projects that contribute to our collective identity and define who we are as Canadians,” said Minister Moore. “On the road to Canada’s 150^th birthday in 2017, let us celebrate all the things that make Canada the united, strong, and free country we are today.”

“We are very pleased to receive funding for this project. During the 2012 summer, this production was seen weekly at historic Fort George in Niagara on the Lake,” said Sarah Maloney, Managing Director and Curator for the Niagara Historical Society. “This year we have partnered with Parks Canada and the Flames of War production crew by adding an 1812 virtual exhibition to the show. This will provide us with the opportunity to offer the production and experience to communities across Eastern Canada!”

The Niagara Historical Society is a provincially incorporated, not-for-profit, charitable heritage institution located in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $150,000 to the Niagara Historical Society through Canadian Heritage’s 1812 Commemoration Fund. The Fund supports community-based projects to foster greater awareness and understanding of the importance of this conflict.

This support is in addition to a previous investment of $83,550 (2011–2012) to create the “Niagara on the Eve of War” exhibition for the Society’s museum.

Visit 1812.gc.ca to learn more about the 200^th anniversary of the War of 1812.