Department Changes Name to Tourism, Culture and Heritage

TOURISM/CULTURE--Department Changes Name to Tourism, Culture and Heritage

The Department of Tourism and Culture is adding heritage to its name to more accurately reflect the department's organizational structure.

"Changing the name acknowledges the important contribution that Nova Scotia's heritage sector makes to all of our communities," said Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage.

The heritage division was transferred from the Department of Education to the newly re-created Department of Tourism and Culture in 1999. The division is responsible for the activities of the Nova Scotia Museum, which operates 27 provincial museum sites and supports 64 community museums. The Nova Scotia Museum is the most decentralized museum system in Canada and one of the oldest provincial museums. Programs, exhibits, and products serve both local residents and tourists in 142 Nova Scotia communities.

"As partners with tourism and culture, the heritage sector offers a significant contribution to the social, environmental and economic development of communities of all sizes in Nova Scotia." said Susan Charles, executive director of the Federation of Nova Scotian Heritage. "This step challenges us to find ways to work collaboratively for the preservation, development, and promotion of community cultural and heritage resources."

Alan Parish, president of the Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia says his organization is very pleased that heritage in Nova Scotia is being recognized in the name of the department. "Heritage is a resource that provides ongoing economic vitality to the province as well as defining, to some degree, who we are as Nova Scotians," said Mr. Parish.

Stewardship of Nova Scotia's natural and cultural heritage is a fundamental role of the department, which maintains the province's collection of more than 800,000 artifacts and more than 200 heritage buildings.

"Many of our heritage facilities have become major attractions in their communities, stimulating visitation and economic growth," said Mr. MacDonald. "Preservation, interpretation and promotion of Nova Scotia's heritage resources supports the government's priorities in lifelong learning, sustaining the environment, and economic development."

The Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage is responsible for tourism planning, development, marketing and operations; development of the province's culture sector, including cultural industries; development and preservation of the province's natural and cultural heritage, including the operation of Museum heritage services; and Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management.