Canada and Quebec support the construction and restoration of tourism infrastructure in Batiscan

BATISCAN, QC, Sept. 1, 2017 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Quebec recognize the key role of tourism infrastructure in developing dynamic communities and protecting Canada's diverse heritage.

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade and Member of Parliament for Saint-Maurice‒Champlain, and Julie Boulet, Minister of Tourism and Minister Responsible for the Mauricie Region, today announced that the governments of Canada and Quebec will each invest over $130,000 in the construction of a multipurpose pavilion and the restoration of the maritime museum in Batiscan.

This financial assistance comes from the New Building Canada Fund, Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component—Small Communities Fund. The Municipality of Batiscan will also contribute more than $130,000 for a total government-municipal investment of nearly $400,000.

The purpose of this project is to move the tourist welcome centre and souvenir and handicrafts shop from Batiscan's municipal wharf to a new building on an adjacent piece of land, and to restore the foundations of the municipality's maritime museum (Office des signaux). Once completed, these facilities will better meet the municipality's needs and promote tourism in Batiscan.

Quotes

"This investment will help make the Mauricie Region a place where families can get together and have fun. In addition to allowing the Municipality of Batiscan to preserve a historic building and offer tourist services to a greater number of visitors, this infrastructure will also have a unifying effect for future generations. Our government is proud to support projects that improve people's quality of life while promoting economic growth and the creation of well-paid middle-class jobs."

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

"This project will allow the Municipality of Batiscan to offer tourist services to a greater number of visitors, helping raise the profile of our beautiful region. It will also help preserve the Office des signaux, an important historic building that informs visitors about the role of maritime control officers along the Saint Lawrence, a profession almost forgotten today. The Quebec government therefore takes great pride in contributing to this promising initiative."

Julie Boulet, Quebec Minister of Tourism and Minister Responsible for the Mauricie Region

"This project will allow the municipality to maintain and expand activities at this magnificent site. The ''Office des signaux'' is the last maritime control office of its kind in Quebec. Its historical and educational value is indisputable. It is also functions as a gathering place for family activities. By acting now, we are ensuring the longevity of this asset for the good of future generations of fishermen and visitors."

Sonya Auclair, Mayor of Batiscan

Quick Facts

• The Small Communities Fund is a joint 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 can enhance their cultural, sports, recreational, and tourism assets or safeguard 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.
  
  
• Budget 2017 allocates $21.9 billion to support social infrastructure in Canadian communities.
  
  
• Quebec's 2017-2027 Infrastructure Plan calls for $7 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 $15 billion will be invested in municipal infrastructure in Quebec over the next 10 years.

Associated Links

Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada's new $180 billion 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

New Building Canada Plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nbcp-npcc-eng.html

New Building Canada Fund, Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure component—Small Communities Fund: http://www.mamot.gouv.qc.ca/infrastructures/programmes-daide-financiere/nouveau-fonds-chantiers-canada-quebec-volet-fonds-des-petites-collectivites-fpc/

Quebec's 2017-2027 Infrastructure Plan: https://www.tresor.gouv.qc.ca/fileadmin/PDF/budget_depenses/17-18/infrastructuresPubliquesQuebec.pdf

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

Contacts: Brook Simpson, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Tel.: [phone]; Chantale Carignan, Policy Advisor, Office of the Minister of Tourism and Minister Responsible for the Mauricie Region, Tel.: [phone]; For information: Infrastructure Canada, Tel.: [phone], Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, E-mail: [email protected], Twitter: @INFC_eng, Website: Infrastructure Canada; Jean-Pierre D'Auteuil, Media Relations Officer, Communications Branch, Ministry of Tourism, Tel: [phone], ext. 4868, Cell: 418-559-0710; Pierre-Luc Lévesque, Communications Branch, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy and the Ministry of Public Safety, Tel.: [phone], ext. 3746

Related Links

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