Executive Summary

Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site of Canada contains a wealth of cultural resources and landscapes reflecting the military, commercial, fishing and settlement activity that occurred here from 1713 to 1768. They contribute to telling a significant story in a defining period of Canada's history - the concluding period of Anglo-French rivalry for control of eastern Canada. The scope, scale and size of the archaeological resources and collection are one of the Site's defining attributes. Much of the 18th century archaeological record has survived relatively intact and represents an unparalleled resource on an international scale. In addition there is the partial reconstruction of the 18th century town, the largest reconstruction in Canada, and a landmark project that has created a remarkable sense of the past and learning experience for visitors. The setting for these resources is Canada's second largest national historic site. The Site's 6000 hectare landbase bordering on Louisbourg harbour and the Atlantic Ocean contains important natural resources that contribute to the sustainability of the broader ecosystem found along the east coast of Cape Breton Island. 

Fortress of Louisbourg is part of a system of national historic sites across Canada. Together this system is referred to as the Family of National Historic Sites with each member presenting an important part of Canada's history to Canadians. Parks Canada has the potential, through Fortress of Louisbourg and other national historic sites across Canada, to help connect Canadians through a greater understanding of their heritage.

Ensuring commemorative integrity and applying cultural resource management principles and practices form the goal for management planning for national historic sites.

The management plan identifies the components of commemorative integrity and what strategic steps are necessary to achieve them. Within this framework, the plan identifies actions for the protection of in-situ cultural resources and the vast collections held at the Site. It focuses the Site's presentation program on the nationally significant messages that need to be conveyed to the public and on potential methods of delivering these messages. It also provides the strategic direction to provide an enhanced level of service to visitors by creating the flexibility and the environment to work with various partners in the provision of period and modern services throughout the Site. The plan recognizes the fiscal environment in which these proposals are being put forward. 

The Site's infrastructure has evolved over three decades from the early 1960s. This includes the reconstructed townsite, the visitor centre, roads, trails, day-use areas, administration and maintenance buildings, and services. Because much development has already occurred, the plan places the primary focus on the protection, management, and presentation of the nationally significant cultural resources and landscapes, on improvements to visitor services, on the recapitalization of contemporary assets, and on stewardship responsibilities. The plan looks outward to place the Site in its regional context recognizing that its contribution to a changing economy is important for a sustainable future. It clearly identifies that the Site's role in the heritage tourism industry on Cape Breton Island is based on both leadership and cooperation with partners.

The plan articulates a vision for Fortress of Louisbourg - that is to become a centre of excellence in ensuring commemorative integrity and in meeting its stewardship responsibilities for the protection of ecosystem features. Many strategic actions are identified to achieve this vision. Some of the highlights are as follows. 

Heritage Protection

• complete the inventory and evaluation of nationally significant cultural resources, landscapes and collections to ensure their protection

• complete and implement a Cultural Resource Conservation Plan to address those circumstances that threaten or impact on cultural resources

• continue to cooperate in the protection and management of underwater cultural resources of national significance in Louisbourg harbour, and enhance their interpretation

• continue with research and management of significant natural resources, and with the identification and mitigation of threats in order to contribute to ecological integrity

• complete the recapitalization program for the reconstructed townsite

• undertake an interpretation plan for the entire Site including all media, with emphasis on the nationally significant messages

• enhance the aboriginal and multi-cultural component of 18th century Louisbourg in the presentation program

• enhance the Site's outreach program 

• implement the updated marketing strategy to market Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site of Canada 

Visitor Services and Facilities

• encourage special events in cooperation with others

• enhance period and modern visitor services in the reconstructed townsite and in other areas of the Site

• implement the Access Plan for the reconstructed townsite

• complete the formal agreement with the province required for the construction of the Fleur-de-lis Trail

• upgrade route #22 from the Site boundary to the reconstructed townsite

• upgrade water delivery systems and fire protection to the reconstructed townsite

• incorporate federal government revenue policies of cost-recovery and revenue generation into the Site's operational and service offer

The environmental assessment of the management plan indicates that there are no significant impacts or cumulative effects from the implementation of the proposals and concepts identified in the plan. Important cultural, environmental and socio-economic benefits will be realized through the implementation of the plan. The Site will contribute to the local and regional economy through expenditures and employment, and as a major attraction to visitors to Cape Breton Island.

The strategic actions referenced above are highlights of those identified at the end of most sections in the plan. These actions are to be accomplished within the time horizon of the management plan, a 10-15 year period. Priorities, based on these actions, are identified and linked to the Site's three year business planning cycle for implementation purposes. Five year management plan reviews will update the actions to ensure their relevancy. Priorities will be updated annually as part of the business plan submission.

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