ACAN - Military Interpretation and Visitor Services / Halifax Defence Complex

Parks Canada has a requirement for the provision of military animation and visitor services for the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site (NHS) and Georges Island NHS. The anticipated start date is April 1, 2024.

Interpretive services at the Halifax Citadel NHS include a portrayal of the British and Canadian Army garrisons of the Halifax Defense Complex (HDC) from 1749 to 1952, with a concentration on the period 1869-71. The primary portrayal will be the 78th Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs) and 3rd Brigade, Royal Artillery, but may include civilians and other military units. Supplier staff must wear appropriate period clothing and undertake demonstrations of daily life, garrison duties, military drill and tactics (with and without the use of historic weapons) and perform ceremonial functions on and off the NHS.

Interpretation services on Georges Island NHS include a portrayal of British and Canadian Army garrisons of the HDC from 1869 to 1945, with a concentration on the period of 1939-45, as well as civilian portrayals from those periods. The primary portrayal will be of the 21st Anti-Aircraft Regiment and 1st (Halifax) Coast Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, and 3rd Brigade, Royal Artillery. Supplier staff must wear appropriate period clothing and undertake demonstrations of daily life and garrison duties (with and without the use of historic weapons).

The supplier’s staff will also facilitate visitor experience activities such as guided tours, orientation and special visitor programming.

Visitor services include visitor reception and orientation services, collection of fees, and visitor surveys.

The supplier must:

-Provide personnel to portray and interpret the military garrison of the Halifax Citadel NHS and Georges Island NHS and to provide personnel to deliver visitor reception and orientation services, tourism information, collection of fees and visitor data, support visitor surveys and safety;

-Be a key partner in providing essential support to Parks Canada in fulfilling its mandate to protect and present the HDC sites, so that they are embraced and appreciated as sites integral to the community;

-Support the Vision and Key Strategies of the HDC Management Plan;

-Provide high quality visitor services and experiences for all and to introduce Canadians to the safe enjoyment of cultural and historic places;

-Provide staff engaged to support outreach opportunities as requested by the Project Authority or delegate. May include marketing, promotion, special projects or events (individual or partnered) that are compatible with Parks Canada’s principles and values;

-Support the HDC’s efforts to engage youth through delivery of cultural and educational programs, designed to enhance and further the NHS’s use, relevance, understanding and appreciation;

-Contribute to the maintenance requirements of the Halifax Citadel NHS and Georges Island NHS’s interpretation program.; and

-Provide reception, site orientation, fee collection, provision of tourism information and respond to visitor inquiries as essential services to NHS’s reception and orientation program.