Fort Hugonin Demolition Stopped

Hugonin Barracks

On March 28, 2008, the Friends of McNabs Island received an e-mail from the Minister of National Defence, Hon. Peter MacKay, informing us that the tender to demolish Fort Hugonin Barracks had been withdrawn. The Friends of McNabs had provided DND with a photo of the Fort Hugonin Officer's Barracks (circa 1914) which clearly showed that the building was considerably older than DND thought.

DND is currently evaluating the historical significance of the Barracks which was built in 1899. DND says that the hazardous lead paint, and asbestos tiles and shingles will be removed and the site cleaned up. Hopefully the main floor structure can be salvaged and used to interpret this piece of Canada's military history to island park visitors.