GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ANNOUNCES CONTRACT FOR STABILIZATION WORK AT MURNEY TOWER NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE OF CANADA

KINGSTON, Ontario - The Honourable Peter Milliken, M.P. for Kingston and the Islands, today welcomed the announcement by the Honourable David Anderson, Minister of the Environment, awarding a $212,930 contract for stabilization work at Murney Tower National Historic Site of Canada.

Parks Canada awarded the competitive contract to Roof Tile Management Inc. of Mississauga, Ontario. It includes repairs to the timber roof structure of the tower, removal of the old roof shingles and installation of new metal shingle roofing. The work, scheduled for completion by mid-January 2004, is the final phase of a multi-year stabilization project to ensure the tower's long-term protection.

"Murney Tower is an important national historic site in Kingston and an important historic treasure that the Government of Canada is committed to preserving," said Minister Anderson. "With the completion of this project, a unique part of Canada's heritage will be protected for the benefit of generations to come."

"This important historic landmark contributes to heritage tourism in the region," said Mr. Milliken, Kingston's Member of Parliament. "It provides the Canadian public with an opportunity to experience and understand a fascinating part of Kingston's military history."

Murney Tower, built in 1846, was one of four Martello towers constructed in Kingston in the wake of a diplomatic crisis between the United States and the United Kingdom. The four towers, combined with Fort Henry National Historic Site of Canada, were designed to defend Kingston's harbour and naval dockyard, and the entrance to the Rideau Canal. Ultimately, the tower ceased to serve any military function. In 1925, it was leased to the Kingston Historical Society which has operated the site as a museum since that time.

Murney Tower is part of the family of national historic sites of Canada, which connect the roots of our past to the promises of our future and Canadians to each other.

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Information:
Kelly Morgan John Coleman
Director of Communications Operations Manager
Office of the Minister of the Environment Bellevue House National Historic 
(819) 953-8239 Site of Canada
(613) 545-8666, extension 106

(Also available on the Internet at www.pc.gc.ca under What's New.)