Today, MP of Halifax West Lena Metlage Diab and MP for Halifax Any Filmore announced an investment of $387,200 through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) for the Saint Mary's Cathedral Basilica Foundation.

The funding will support upgrades to the Saint Mary's Cathedral Basilica which is over 200 years old and has stood on Spring Garden Road since 1820. The funding will also allow the basilica to install an elevator and washroom.

In 1997, Saint Mary's Cathedral Basilica was named a National Historic Site of Canada.

Halifax MP Andy Filmore. Photo by Sara Gouda.

"What we've done today is provided federal funding and the amount of nearly $400,000 to allow the church to create an accessible elevator to move people from the main floor of the church down into the community space on the basement level, and to create accessible washrooms for people of all abilities," said Filmore.

The basilica played pivotal roles in historical moments, acting as a refugee during two world wars, two global pandemics as well the 1917 Halifax explosion.

"This has been a place of refuge and a place of support for Haligonians and visitors to our city. It really is a remarkable institution that is part of the fabric of who we are here in Halifax," added Filmore.

MP Diab said the basilica's maintenance is important to the community, as it's also the second oldest church in Canada.

Halifax West MP Lena Metlage Diab said the basilica is important to the community, as it's also the second oldest church in Canada. Photo by Sara Gouda.

"During both World Wars, it really ministered to people in need, that were coming on ships because they had diseases and nowhere else to go, and that ministry is continued. It continues to minister to all people in need," said Diab.

The basilica's outreach programs provide food, hot and cold beverages and daily essentials to those in need.

Father John Williams, the rector of Saint Mary's Cathedral Basilica, standing in front of the restored mural paintings. Photo by Sara Gouda.

Father John Williams, rector of Saint Mary's Cathedral Basilica, said the church is also working on restoring murals that were destroyed in the Halifax explosion.

"They were destroyed in the explosion in 1917. And they didn't know how to restore them. So they painted over them. And then three years ago, I contacted the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, and had an artist who came and is still working on them," said Williams.

The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia is currently working on restoring the murals that had been painted over after the Halifax explosion. Photo by Sara Gouda.