Canada and Quebec support renovation of Françoise-Bédard library in Rivière-du-Loup

RIVIÈRE-DU-LOUP, QC, June 28, 2018 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Quebec recognize that cultural infrastructure plays a key role in developing dynamic communities and promoting Canadian and Quebec heritage.

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade and Member of Parliament for Saint-Maurice‒Champlain, and Jean D'Amour, Minister for Maritime Affairs and Minister Responsible for the Bas-Saint-Laurent Region, today announced that the governments of Canada and Quebec will each invest over $1.6 million in renovations to the Françoise-Bédard library in Rivière-du-Loup, a gathering and entertainment hub that allows the community to participate in a diverse and inclusive cultural life.

This financial support comes from the New Building Canada Fund, Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component—Small Communities Fund. The City of Rivière-du-Loup will also invest more than $1.6 million to bring the total government and municipal investment to over $4.8 million.

The project involves upgrading, expanding and redeveloping a building that is part of a municipal heritage site. Work includes adding a 266-square-metre new floor to the south side of the building dedicated to reading and repose, and installing a ventilation and air conditioning system. This project will modernize an important piece of cultural infrastructure and ensure a significant heritage building can continue to function.  

Quotes

"The Government of Canada knows that investing in cultural infrastructure promotes community development and economic growth. This work on the Françoise-Bédard library will provide users with a modern facility and more user-friendly spaces while enhancing a heritage building in the heart of the city. The library will also be able to improve its services and more fully meet its educational and social mandates."

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade and Member of Parliament for Saint-Maurice‒Champlain, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Our government is proud to support communities by promoting the development of quality infrastructure and providing residents with better access to culture across the regions of Quebec. This project will improve Rivière-du-Loup residents' overall environment while contributing to conserving and enhancing an important heritage asset."

Jean D'Amour, Minister for Maritime Affairs and Minister Responsible for the Bas-Saint-Laurent Region, on behalf of Marie Montpetit, Minister of Culture and Communications, and Minister Responsible for the Protection and Promotion of the French Language

"This project has been long awaited by residents. In fact, library attendance continues to grow and the lack of space has become obvious. The renovated site will be better adapted to meet the needs of the many users, especially our young people, with room for reading, training and workshops. A library is more than rows of shelving—it's a gathering place and key setting for personal and community fulfillment."

Sylvie Vignet, Mayor of Rivière-du-Loup

Quick Facts

• The Small Communities Fund is a federal‒provincial program coordinated by Infrastructure Canada in partnership with the provinces and territories. In Quebec, the Fund is administered by the Quebec Department of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy. The goal of this program is to provide financial support to Canadian municipalities with fewer than 100,000 residents to develop infrastructure that enhance their cultural, sports, recreational, and tourism assets or safeguard public assets.
• The Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities. $25.3 billion of this funding will support social infrastructure in Canadian communities.
• Quebec's 2018-2028 Infrastructure Plan calls for nearly $7.3 billion in investments in municipal infrastructure under the Quebec Department of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy. When combined with contributions from the Government of Canada and municipalities, this means over $14.3 billion will be invested in municipal infrastructure in Quebec over this period.

Associated Links

Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/about-invest-apropos-eng.html

Federal investments in infrastructure projects in Quebec: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/index-eng.html

Quebec cultural heritage directory: http://www.patrimoine-culturel.gouv.qc.ca/rpcq/detail.do?methode=consulter&id=92881&type=bien

Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

Kate Monfette, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Tel.: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Mathieu Larouche, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Culture and Communications and Minister Responsible for the Protection and Promotion of the French Language, Tel.: [phone]; Véronique Michaud, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister for Maritime Affairs, Tel.: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Infrastructure Canada, Tel.: 613‑960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]; Media Relations Team, Communications Branch, Quebec Department of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy and the Department of Public Safety, Tel.: [phone], ext. 3746

Related Links

http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/