Mr. Speaker, last September the Minister of Canadian Heritage designated the Humber River as a Canadian heritage river. On Sunday, May 7, I had the great pleasure of attending Humber Heritage Day in Etienne Brulé Park and participating in the unveiling of the permanent heritage monument.
The Humber River has shaped people's lives for hundreds of years and continues to define our landscape today. This river watershed system provides recreational and educational opportunities as well as a spiritual retreat for thousands of people of many different cultures.
It is because of its importance that governments, communities and watershed residents have worked in partnership to ensure a continued protection and enhancement for the enjoyment and benefit of future generations. The Humber Watershed Project which received a $400,800 contribution through the Canada millennium partnership program will be working to improve the area along the river through planting and clean-up events, the construction of new trails and the upgrading of existing ones.
The Humber River system is truly a priceless gift which must be preserved for future generations.