Tourism, Culture and Recreation
January 16, 2008

Minister Says St. John�s Has Claim to "Oldest City" Status

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, says he is concerned about reports this week that the Department of Canadian Heritage, and its minister, Jos�e Verner, are perpetuating a claim that Quebec City is the oldest city in Canada.

"That claim is debatable, to say the least," Minister Jackman said. "St. John�s has long been recognized by many historians as the oldest city in Canada, and we are very proud of this historical designation."

Minister Jackman noted that many historians and reference materials may debate the definitions of "settlement" and "city" in determining the relative age of a community, but the Canadian Encyclopedia states that Europeans had already begun to settle around St. John�s Harbour by 1583, when Sir Humphrey Gilbert claimed the harbour for the British.

"Quebec City is a beautiful, historic place and we wish them every success this year with their 400th anniversary celebrations," Minister Jackman said. "We hope the Department of Canadian Heritage, and the federal government in general, will be as supportive of this province in 2010, when we celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Cupers Cove colony at Cupids � the first English colony established in what is today Canada."

Cupids400 Inc., the community-based organization which is organizing the event, is awaiting word from various federal government agencies regarding the $7 million they have requested for the Cupids celebrations and infrastructure. Quebec City received a total of $110 million in federal funding for its 400th anniversary celebrations.

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Media contact:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca

2008 01 16                                                   4:55 p.m.

 


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