New Management Plan for the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site approved

From: Parks Canada

News release

Plan contributes to preserving our nation’s cultural heritage and connecting Canadians to history in Coastal British Columbia.

December 9, 2024                    Steveston, British Columbia                    Parks Canada

The network of national heritage places administered by Parks Canada represents the very best that Canada has to offer and tells the stories of who we are, including the histories, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples. National historic sites reflect the rich and varied heritage of Canada and provide an opportunity for Canadians to learn more about our diverse history.

The new management plan for the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site was recently approved by the President & Chief Executive Officer of Parks Canada, Ron Hallman. Reviewed every ten years, management plans are a requirement of the Parks Canada Agency Act and guide the management of national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas.

The Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society and Parks Canada work together to conserve the national historic site in Steveston and share stories of Canada’s West Coast fishing industry with visitors. The new management plan for the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site outlines the following key strategies:

·        Working with the community – focuses on the importance of collaboration and relationships that support the success of the Gulf of Georgia Cannery NHS.

·        Conserving cultural heritage – addresses the conservation of the Gulf of Georgia Cannery NHS’s cultural resources—built heritage (buildings), equipment, collections, and artifacts—for the benefit of current and future generations, as part of the network of protected heritage places in Canada.

·        A place that reflects Canada and the World – focuses on reaching the local community, Canadians, and international visitors through new and meaningful visitor experiences, outreach activities, and community events.

Located in Steveston village in Richmond, BC, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site sits on the traditional ancestral lands of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam, Hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓-speaking people) in Metro Vancouver on the South Arm of the Fraser River along the Strait of Georgia.

In 1976, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada recognised the West Coast fishing industry from the 1870s to the modern era as a national historic event due to its cultural traditions, economic significance, international reach, and the involvement of people from many origins. Along with the national historic event designation, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery was recognised as an appropriate place to commemorate the West Coast fishing industry.

This management plan outlines the objectives and direction set for Parks Canada, which are informed by xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) First Nation and the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society and are advanced within respective roles and responsibilities agreed upon together. While Parks Canada owns the physical structure of the Gulf of Georgia Cannery NHS and provides a level of annual operating funds to the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society, it is the Society that operates the Gulf of Georgia Cannery NHS on a day-to-day basis according to their own internal strategic plan, including events, programming, retail activities, fundraising, and collections. 

The 2024 Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site Management Plan is available on the Parks Canada website at: (Link to Management Plan). To learn more about the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site, please visit the Parks Canada website and the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society website.

                                                                                                     -30-

Additional multimedia

Quotes

“National historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas are a source of shared pride for Canadians. They protect our natural and cultural heritage, support biodiversity, and tell the stories of Canada from all perspectives. These places connect visitors with history and nature. I would like to thank everyone, particularly the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society, for contributing to the management plan for the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site. As the President & Chief Executive Officer of Parks Canada, I applaud this collaborative effort that will shape the future of this treasured place for generations to come.”

Ron Hallman
President & Chief Executive Officer of Parks Canada

“The Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society is proud of its collaborative relationship with Parks Canada. Together we have fostered community stewardship and a passion to share the vibrant and diverse history of Canada’s west coast fishing industry. This national historic site represents a wealth of stories and culture that come from many peoples, and we are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to its future through Parks Canada’s management plan. Our staff, volunteers, board directors and community are honoured to preserve this national historic site for all Canadians and visitors from across the globe.” 

Elizabeth Batista
Executive Director, Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society

“The collaboration between the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society and Parks Canada is another example of how Richmond residents can work together with government agencies to ensure the protection and presentation of irreplaceable cultural heritage in Canada. The history of the West Coast fishing industry is an important part of that heritage, and the Government of Canada is excited to implement this updated management plan which will guide this important work right here in the heart of Steveston Village, the cornerstone of our beautiful city.”

Parm Bains
Member of Parliament for Steveston-Richmond East, British Columbia

Quick facts

  • The Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site is part of the vast network of cultural and natural heritage places administered by Parks Canada that includes 171 national historic sites, 48 national parks, five national marine conservation areas and one national urban park. 

  • The site sits on the traditional ancestral lands of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam, Hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓-speaking people) and is in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, on the South Arm of the Fraser River along the Strait of Georgia.

  • The Cannery was constructed in 1894; it was designated as a national historic site to commemorate the West Coast fishing industry in 1976; and ceased operations as a fish processing plant in 1979. 

  • The Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society and Parks Canada have been collaborating since the 1980s with the goals of conserving and welcoming visitors to the site. 

  • The Gulf of Georgia Cannery is one of only a few federally owned national historic sites that is operated by a third party. 

  • A management plan, prepared in consultation with Indigenous peoples and the public, is the main public accountability document for national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas. 

Associated links

Contacts

Kirby Delaney
National Historic Sites Manager, Coastal British Columbia (interim)
236-464-4243
kirby.delaney@pc.gc.ca

Media Relations
Parks Canada
1-855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca

Elizabeth Batista
Executive Director, Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society
604-664-9192
elizabeth.batista@gogcannery.org

Page details

Date modified: