HALIFAX – The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax opened its doors Monday, officially marking the transformation of a well-known national historic site into a national museum.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay presided over the ceremonies, inaugurating the country’s sixth national museum, the second outside of the National Capital Region.
The federal government plans to spend $25 million during the next five years to upgrade the waterfront building and develop new exhibitions and programming.
MacKay said the venue pays tribute to the one million people from around the world who chose Canada as their home.
"I know I speak for all Nova Scotians in saying that we are proud to be part of ensuring this important chapter of Canadian history is preserved, promoted and shared with all Canadians," he said in a statement.
Heritage Minister James Moore said one in five Canadians can trace a connection to Pier 21.
From the late 1920s to the early 1970s, it was Canada’s front door for more than a million immigrants, refugees, troops, wartime evacuees, war brides and their children.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper first announced the federal government’s plan to change the status of Pier 21 in June 2009. Legislation came into force in November 2010.
The museum, described as Canada’s last surviving ocean immigration shed, now has a broadened mandate to enhance public understanding of the vital role immigration has played in the building of Canada.
Located in the south end of Halifax, Pier 21 officially opened to immigrants on March 8, 1928. It closed in 1971, having admitted large waves of immigrants from England, Hungary, the Baltic nations, Italy and Germany.
The building also served as the point of departure for more than 500,000 Canadian troops to fight in Europe.
Pier 21 reopened as a museum in 1999.
The museum’s annual operating budget is projected to be up to $7.7 million.
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