Ottawa pledges $139K to remember Battle of Detroit
The Ministry of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages has pledged $139,300 to the Windsor-Essex Community Foundation to commemorate the capture of the Fort of Detroit during the War of 1812.
The celebration takes place on Aug. 25 and features local artists, musicians and writers. It will also celebrate General Sir Isaac Brock and First Nations Chief Tecumseh, both of whom played key roles in the War of 1812.
"It's an opportunity to explore and learn what life was like in Sandwich Towne back in 1812," the city's manager of cultural affairs, Cathy Masterson, said.
Conservative Essex MP Jeff Watson announced the funding Monday and highlighted the important role Sandwich Towne and the War of 1812 played in Canada's history.
"This war paved the way, ultimately, for confederation," Watson said.
The federal government wants to mark the 200th anniversary of the war in 2012 in a big way. It will spend $28 million doing so over the next three years.
"It's our opportunity in this and the next two years to engage Canadians ... in an important part of our shared history," Watson said.
Coun. Ron Jones praised the funds.
"Isn't this a wonderful day? The government has come to the table and brought the bacon to us," he said. "If it had not been for the Battle of Detroit, there may not have been a Canada."
Watson noted on multiple occasions Monday that Windsor was "an opening front" and "first defence" in the war.
"Had this area collapsed very quickly, as it was originally expected way back then, things may have ended up very differently," Watson said.
Watson said there are other proposals and grant requests made from groups in the area, but declined to comment further.
"The government is considering other applications. This is likely not the last thing you'll hear," Watson said.
The Roots to Boots Festival in Amherstburg has already received a $98,360 grant and the Windsor Regional Writers' Group has received $9,950 for an 1812 song writing project.
Out west, the War of 1812 Experience at Canada Place in Vancouver received $950,000.
"It's our opportunity in this and the next two years to engage Canadians ... in an important part of our shared history," Watson said of the grant program. "These programs are part of our economic development. They form an important part of our local economies. Tourism forms an important part of the Windsor-Essex region."
