LA POCATIÈRE, QC, June 29, 2017 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Quebec recognize the key role culture and tourism infrastructure plays in developing dynamic communities and protecting Canada's diverse heritage.
The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, as well as Julie Boulet, Minister of Tourism and Minister Responsible for the Mauricie Region, announced today that the governments of Canada and Quebec will each invest over $775,000 in a new culture and tourism centre to showcase Kamouraska and all its parts. This funding comes from the New Building Canada Fund—Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component—Small Communities Fund. The Regional County Municipality of Kamouraska, represented by Prefect Yvon Soucy, will also invest over $775,000 dollars, for a total governmental-municipal investment of over $2.3 million. Jean D'Amour, Quebec Minister for Maritime Affairs and Minister Responsible for the Bas-Saint-Laurent Region, and Norbert Morin, Provincial Member for Côte-du-Sud, were also present for the announcement.
The centre will include a tourist information office, a St. Lawrence River interpretation centre and rest area, as well as an immersive digital room. Outside, there will be a patio, parking lot and space for international events. The project will make it possible to offer tourist services and support the development of the region by organizing major events.
Quotes
"The St. Lawrence River forms a part of the richness of Kamouraska and the people from here are unifying to highlight this and allow others to discover it thanks to the project we're announcing today. The governments of Canada and Quebec recognize that strategic investments in public infrastructure, such as this one in Kamouraska, play a key role in helping build communities and create good jobs that help grow the middle class."
The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
"In addition to developing rapidly around the world, the tourism sector is renowned for being an important economic lever in Quebec. The Government of Quebec is therefore very happy to support this project, which will help offer better tourism services in the region and appeal to visitors looking to discover or rediscover Quebec through its waterways."
Julie Boulet, Quebec Minister of Tourism and Minister Responsible for Mauricie Region
"The possibilities offered to us by the Saint-Lawrence are numerous and it is for us to find business opportunities to stimulate Quebec's economy. The Maison du Kamouraska, located on the shoreline, will showcase and enhance regional identity as the "window onto the estuary" as well as Quebec's identity."
Jean D'Amour, Quebec Minister of Maritime Affairs and Minister Responsible for the Bas-Saint-Laurent Region
"With surrounding tourist attractions and its proximity to the Saint Lawrence river, this new building will complement iconic attractions in the region. Kamouraska tourism is coming into its own as a tourism destination and I am extremely happy to welcome this unifying project that will benefit the regional economy of Côte-du-Sud and Bas-Saint-Laurent."
Norbert Morin, Member of the National Assembly for Côte-du-Sud
"This project is the realization of almost seven years effort on the part of the Council of the Regional County Municipality of Kamouraska to improve visitors' experiences and offer a showcase of all of Kamouraska's expertise."
Yvon Soucy, Prefect for the Regional County Municipality of Kamouraska
Quick facts
- The Small Communities Fund (SCF) is a joint federal-provincial program coordinated by Infrastructure Canada, in partnership with the provinces and territories. In Quebec, the Fund is managed by the Quebec Department of Municipal Affairs and Land Use. The purpose of this program is to provide Canadian municipalities with fewer than 100,000 residents with financial support so they can build infrastructure that will contribute to cultural, sports, recreational and tourism development or to protect existing public assets.
- The Government of Canada will provide more than $180 billion in infrastructure funding over 12 years for public transit, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, transportation that supports trade, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
- The Government of Canada's Budget 2017 proposes $21.9 billion to support social infrastructure in Canada's communities.
Related links
For more information on the Government of Canada's $180 billion-plus infrastructure plan in Budget 2017: http://www.budget.gc.ca/2017/docs/plan/chap-02-en.html
Federal investments in infrastructure projects in Quebec: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/index-eng.html
New Building Canada Plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nbcp-npcc-eng.html
New Building Canada Fund—Quebec, Small Communities Fund:
http://www.mamot.gouv.qc.ca/infrastructures/programmes-daide-financiere/nouveau-fonds-chantiers-canada-quebec-volet-fonds-des-petites-collectivites-fpc/
Twitter: @INFC_fra
Website: Infrastructure Canada
SOURCE Infrastructure Canada
Contacts: Brook Simpson, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-219-0149; Patrick Soucy, Press Secretary, Office of the Quebec Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the La Mauricie Region, 418-528-8063; Julien Mercier Caron, Press Secretary, Member of Parliament for Côte-du-Sud, 418-234-1893; For information: Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll-free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]; Pierre-Luc Lévesque, Communications Directorate at the Quebec Department of Municipal Affairs and Land Use and the Department of Public Safety, 418-646-6777, ext. 3746
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