Government of Canada supports upgrades at Canada’s Cold War Museum

From: Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

News release

FedDev Ontario invests $600,000 to enhance Diefenbunker visitor experience and upgrade infrastructure

July 6, 2022 - Ottawa, Ontario

Community infrastructure is vital to the health of our communities and the quality of life for Canadians. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the growth of local communities to position themselves for a strong and resilient economic future.

Today, on behalf of the Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), Jenna Sudds, Member of Parliament for Kanata–Carleton, announced $600,000 in total support for the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum (the Diefenbunker). With these investments, the museum will upgrade and enhance its facility to safely welcome back visitors.

With $412,500 through the Tourism Relief Fund, the Diefenbunker will transform its services and products to enhance visitor experiences through exhibition development, including dedicated space to highlight the Indigenous experience during the Cold War. This funding will also support the addition of Algonquin to the tour’s audio guide languages and offer a new immersive experience with the development of an augmented reality emergency preparedness gamified simulation.

With $187,500 through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund, the Diefenbunker will improve its accessibility and energy efficiency by upgrading its controls and lighting. This project will benefit people with disabilities, specifically those with low vision or visual impairments as effective lighting and glare control will be improved.

Through investments like these, the Government of Canada is committed to helping businesses and communities recover from the pandemic and prepare for future growth. 

Quotes

“The Government of Canada is investing in community infrastructure and tourist attractions like the Diefenbunker to bring neighbourhoods together and attract tourists from around the world. Today’s investment will help position the local community for a strong and resilient future, enhancing the quality of life for its residents.”
– The Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

“The Diefenbunker is a world-renowned museum that attracts thousands of visitors each year. Through today’s investments, the Government of Canada is supporting necessary infrastructure upgrades to enhance accessibility as well as upgrades to service offerings, both of which will improve the visitor experience at this public space and continue to drive tourism in the Ottawa area.”
– Jenna Sudds, Member of Parliament for Kanata–Carleton 

“The Diefenbunker extends its sincere gratitude to the Government of Canada for investing in the growth of our one-of-a-kind museum and national historic site. We offer visitors an important platform to learn from our past and envision a more peaceful future. These funds support upgrades to our facility and exhibitions that will allow us to expand Indigenous perspectives, create more immersive and accessible experiences, and engage and inspire our communities, as we bring relevant Cold War history to life.”
– Christine McGuire, Executive Director, Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum

Quick facts

  • Established in 1959, the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum is a one-of-a-kind national historic site in Ottawa providing an experiential learning environment, multi-award-winning programs, events and exhibitions that welcomes close to 70,000 visitors a year.

  • With a national investment of $500 million over two years, the Canada Community Revitalization Fund supports projects that build new community infrastructure and revitalize existing assets, bring people back to public spaces safely and stimulate local economies. This includes $139 million for projects in southern Ontario, delivered by FedDev Ontario. 

  • The Government of Canada’s $500-million Tourism Relief Fund is helping tourism-oriented businesses and organizations recover from the pandemic and prepare for future growth, with a minimum of $50 million of the Fund allocated to supporting Indigenous-led projects or Indigenous focused projects. FedDev Ontario is delivering nearly $120 million of the Tourism Relief Fund across southern Ontario. 

  • Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested over $190 million in over 180 projects in Ottawa region, creating and maintaining nearly 8,000 jobs and maintaining over 6,000 jobs. This includes almost $50 million for tourism projects in Ottawa region.

Associated links

Contacts

Monica Granados
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
monica.granados@feddevontario.gc.ca

Media Relations
FedDev Ontario
feddevontariomediarelations-relationsmedias@feddevontario.gc.ca

Stay Connected

Website: www.FedDevOntario.gc.ca

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