Statement made on 01 February 2012 by Senator Elizabeth Hubley
Hon. Elizabeth Hubley:
Honourable senators, 2012 marks the seventy-fifth anniversary of Prince Edward Island National Park. With over 21.5 square kilometres of protected sand dunes, barrier islands, white sand beaches, sandstone cliffs, wetlands and forests, the park provides a diverse habitat for a variety of birds and animals. In particular, the park's protected beaches provide a safe nesting habitat for the endangered Piping Plover, a small, sand-coloured, sparrow-sized shorebird.
The park is also home to cultural treasures such as Green Gables, made famous by L.M. Montgomery in her books about Anne, and Dalvay by the Sea, a national historic site.
The Greenwich adjunct to the Prince Edward Island National Park was added only 11 years ago, yet is an area rich in both beauty and culture as it has a unique parabolic dune system, rare plants and animals, and archaeological findings dating back 10,000 years.
Uniquely Canadian, Prince Edward Island National Park is a delight for Islanders and visitors alike, 365 days a year.