Harper Government Supports War of 1812 Commemoration in Prescott

PRESCOTT, ON, Sept. 18, 2012 /CNW/ - An investment by the Government of Canada will help people in Prescott commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. Support for the Prescott Bicentennial Committee was announced today by Gordon Brown, Member of Parliament (Leeds-Grenville), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

Funding will go towards a re-enactment of a British raid against an American post at Ogdensburg during the War of 1812. The raid's success removed the American threat on this portion of the St. Lawrence River, which had impeded river traffic between Prescott and Montreal. It opened up a strategic supply route to Montreal and kept it open for the duration of the war.

"This year marks the start of the five-year countdown to Canada's 150th birthday in 2017," said Minister Moore. "Our Government is proud to invest in projects that contribute to our collective identity and define who we are as Canadians. On the road to 2017, let us continue to celebrate all of the things that make Canada the united, prosperous, and free country we are today."

"By supporting the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, our Government is giving Canadians and tourists the chance to learn more about this event of national significance and how it has been instrumental in shaping the Canada that we know today," said Mr. Brown. "We are proud to provide support for activities that honour Canadian heroes and commemorate those who helped defend our country in a time of crisis."

"The Prescott Bicentennial Committee, who organized a very successful bicentennial in 2010 to celebrate the founding of Prescott, is very happy that we have been awarded funding and have the opportunity to bring history to life with a re-enactment of the 200th anniversary of Prescott's Raid on Ogdensburg, New York, in February 2013," said Suzanne Dodge, Chair of the Prescott Bicentennial Committee. "We would like to thank the Government of Canada and our MP Gord Brown for their continued commitment to cultural heritage in Prescott - the Heritage Fort Town on the St. Lawrence River."

The commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the British raid against the American post at Ogdensburg will be held at Fort Wellington with the participation of 60 re-enactors. The event will also include a series of lectures and discussions related to Prescott, Fort Wellington, and Ogdensburg during the War of 1812, as well as the creation of a large mural on the side of a local building in downtown Prescott. These activities will provide people in the Prescott region with the opportunity to learn about the community's involvement in the War of 1812, while promoting tourism and leaving a lasting legacy of this historical moment in our nation's history.

The Government of Canada has provided funding in the amount of $31,800 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 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.

SOURCE: Canadian Heritage

(Media only), please contact:

Sébastien Gariépy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
819-997-7788

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
[email protected]

(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)