Canada and Quebec support the development of a tourist attraction in Saint-Constant

SAINT-CONSTANT, QC, Jan. 22, 2018 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Quebec recognize that tourism infrastructure plays a key role in developing dynamic, prosperous communities and preserving Canada's diverse heritage.

Jean-Claude Poissant, Member of Parliament for La Prairie, and Nicole Ménard, Member of the National Assembly for Laporte, today announced that the governments of Canada and Quebec will each invest over $1.1 million to support the refurbishment, enhancement and conservation of the Saint-Constant water tower.

This funding comes from the New Building Canada Fund, Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component—Small Communities Fund. The City of Saint-Constant will also contribute more than $1.1 million for a total government-municipal investment of nearly $3.5 million.

The decommissioned water tower, which previously stored water for the City of Saint-Constant, will be refurbished to create a wind energy observation and interpretation centre. The restored tower will become a signature tourist attraction for the region.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada recognizes that strategic investments in public infrastructure support economic development and create middle-class job opportunities. This project will bolster tourism in Saint-Constant and the surrounding area through new educational and recreational activities for residents and visitors. In addition to preserving the water tower, this work will help make Montérégie a region of choice for families."

Jean-Claude Poissant, Member of Parliament for La Prairie, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Saint-Constant's water tower was a familiar landmark of my childhood so you will understand my pleasure in contributing to its re-development as an observation and interpretation centre for wind energy. The Montérégie region; with its festivals, parks, national historic sites, and the Safari Park, among others, has a large and diversified tourist offering. Today, our support for this tourism infrastructure project demonstrates once again the Québec government's commitment to growing the tourism sector in Montérégie"

Nicole Ménard, Chief Government Whip and Member of the National Assembly for Laporte, on behalf of Julie Boulet, Minister of Tourism and Minister Responsible for the Mauricie Region

"We are very happy to offer the people of Saint-Constant a unique recreational tourism project. We will be revitalizing our water tower: infrastructure that has been a landmark in our community for over 50 years. This new observatory and wind energy interpretation centre will attract visitors from across Quebec, benefiting both the local and regional economy and establishing Saint-Constant as a must-see destination in Montérégie."

Jean-Claude Boyer, Mayor of Saint-Constant

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

Government of Canada's $180-billion+ Investing in Canada plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/about-invest-apropos-eng.html

*New* – Investing in Canada plan project map: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html

Smart Cities Challenge: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/cities-villes-eng.html

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

Twitter: @INFC_eng 
Website: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

Contacts: Brook Simpson, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Tel.: [phone]; Patrick Soucy, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Tourism and Minister Responsible for Mauricie, Tel.: [phone]; Louise Fournier, Director, Office of the MNA for Laporte and Chief Government Whip, Tel.: [phone]; For information: Infrastructure Canada, Tel.: [phone], Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]; Anne-Sophie Lacroix, Coordinator, Public Affairs and Stratégies, Communications Branch, Ministry of Tourism, Tel.: [phone], ext. 3493; 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/