ACOA PRESS RELEASE

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA INVESTS $250,000 IN PLANNING FOR AN AFRICVILLE MEMORIAL PROJECT
21 February 2010
Halifax, Nova Scotia

The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities
Agency (ACOA), is pleased to announce it is contributing to a project to
celebrate the cultural legacy of the African Nova Scotian community.

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, today
announced an investment of $250,000 to support the creation of the
Africville Heritage Trust. The funds are from ACOA?s Innovative
Communities Fund (ICF), a Government of Canada initiative which focuses
on investments leading to long-term employment and community development.

The Trust will be used to help establish a fitting memorial to the
history of Africville, a community once located on the shores of Bedford
Basin in north end Halifax.

?The Government of Canada is committed to investing in projects like
this that protect and promote diversity in Nova Scotia,? said Minister
MacKay. ?The trust will enhance the community?s ability to properly
commemorate the spirit of Africville and celebrate its history.?

Under the shared direction of the Africville Genealogy Society and the
Black Business Initiative, consultants will be engaged prior to the
building stage. The consultants will help the community ensure the
success of the proposed Africville memorial site and, at the same time,
support the development of a strong and viable African Nova Scotia
tourism sector.

?We are committed to increasing the Black community?s presence and
economic prosperity,? said Rustum Southwell, Chief Executive Officer of
the Black Business Initiative. ?This project will build the foundation
necessary to create a vibrant, successful African-Nova Scotian tourism
sector.?

?This project, a true tribute to the people of Africville, will keep the
spirit and memory of the community alive for future generations,? said
Irvine Carvery, President of the African Genealogy Society.

FOR BROADCAST USE:

Defence Minister Peter MacKay today announced a $250,000 investment
under the Government of Canada?s Innovative Communities Fund to support
the creation of the Africville Community Trust.

The creation of the Trust is intended to set the stage for the
development of an Africville Memorial site and the establishment of a
strong and viable African Nova Scotian tourism sector. The Trust will be
set up in conjunction with the Black Business Initiative and the
Africville Genealogy Society.

INFORMATION:
John Soosaar Senior Communications Officer ACOA Nova Scotia
902-426-1933 John.Soosaar@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Irvine Carvery Africville
Genealogy Society 902-492-0253

Rustum Southwell Chief Executive Officer
Black Business Initiative 902-426-8948

Source: http://halifax.ca/Africville/questions.html

The Africville Genealogy Society gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Department of Canadian Heritage for this project.
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