Canada and Quebec support the restoration of the watermill dam in L'Isle-aux-Coudres

L'ISLE-AUX-COUDRES, QC, May 4, 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 Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Caroline Simard, Member of the National Assembly for Charlevoix–Côte-de-Beaupré and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Tourism, today announced that the governments of Canada and Quebec will each invest nearly $95,000 in the rehabilitatation of the Ruisseau Rouge dam, a key part of the Moulins de L'Isle-aux-Coudres economuseum.

This financial support comes from the New Building Canada Fund, Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component—Small Communities Fund. The Municipality of L'Isle-aux-Coudres will also invest nearly $95,000 to bring the total government and municipal investment up to almost $285,000.

The project involves preserving the dam to ensure the watermill—designated a heritage building under Quebec's Cultural Heritage Act—continues to function. This work will support the development of programs and activities at the economuseum and maintain tourist traffic to the site.

Quotes

"Investing in public infrastructure helps build strong communities and supports economic growth. The rehabilitation of the Ruisseau Rouge dam will support the preservation of an important heritage site in the Charlevoix region, helping conserve local culture and foster tourism in L'Isle-aux-Coudres."

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"This funding will enable the Moulins de L'Isle-aux-Coudres to complete an important and highly-anticipated project. Not only will the work enable the water mill to function properly, supporting the role it plays both socially and educationally, it will also support the longevity of a landmark tourist attraction; an attraction that is the pride of the Charlevoix population. I would like to thank the municipality for wanting to preserve a classified heritage asset through this project."

Caroline Simard, Member of the National Assembly for Charlevoix–Côte-de-Beaupré and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Tourism

"I'm delighted to announce the highly anticipated project to rehabilitate our dam at the Moulins de L'Isle-aux-Coudres. The completion of this project will ensure that we can continue operating and offering activities. Thousands of visitors from around the world are amazed when the big paddlewheel starts up inside our mill and without our dam, it is rendered mute."

Caroline Perron, Director General of Les Moulins de L'Isle-aux-Coudres

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 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 (PDF Version): http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/site/alt-format/pdf/plan/icp-pic/IC-InvestingInCanadaPlan-ENG.pdf

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

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

Smart Cities Challenge: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/cities-villes/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 
Website: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

Brook Simpson, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Tel.: [phone]; 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]; Lise Pilote, Political Attaché, Office of the MNA for Charlevoix-Côte-de-Beaupré and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Tourism, Tel.: [phone]; For information: 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/