Canada and Quebec support the restoration and enhancement of the Anse du Port eco-park in Nicolet

NICOLET, QC, Aug. 29, 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.

Marc Miller, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 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 nearly $600,000 into converting the Anse du Port eco-park into an eco-marine park. Located next to the Lac Saint-Pierre Biosphere Reserve, this space will further highlight the maritime history of the St. Lawrence River and of the Reserve.

This financial assistance comes from the New Building Canada Fund, Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component—Small Communities Fund. The City of Nicolet will also contribute nearly $600,000, for a total government-municipal investment of nearly $1.8 million. The project involves restoring and enhancing the current Anse du Port eco-park to ensure it is maintained and to harness the site's full tourism potential.

Quotes

"This investment will help make Nicolet a place where families can get together and have fun. As well as providing residents and visitors with new activities to enjoy, this important piece of tourism infrastructure will have a unifying effect for future generations while preserving a unique natural site. Our government is proud to support projects that improve the quality of people's lives while contributing to economic growth and the creation of well-paid middle-class jobs."

Marc Miller, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"In addition to diversifying and building tourism offerings in the Centre-du-Québec Region, this project will help showcase the attractions of our majestic river, promote a unique natural site in Quebec and inform visitors about our maritime history. Completely rebuilding the 823-metre wooden boardwalk and developing the site's interpretative activities will help heighten the site's appeal and enhance the tourist experience. Through this project, the Government of Quebec is pleased to contribute to Nicolet's economic development and, at the same time, its citizens' quality of life."

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

"I am very pleased that we can today officially announce this important project for the City of Nicolet. By adding an ecomaritime component to a brand new gateway, this already magnificent site will be more attractive to visitors and Nicolet residents. Thank you to the governments of Canada and Quebec, who are joining Nicolet to support this important piece of tourism infrastructure. For us, it was also essential to make it possible for the next generations to discover this jewel and the beauty of these places."

Geneviève Dubois, Mayor of Nicolet

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]; Chantal 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/