SAINT-GEORGES, QC, July 17, 2017 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Quebec recognize that investing in infrastructure is key in promoting economic growth, enhancing public safety and protecting communities against natural disasters.
Joël Lightbound, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Paul Busque, Member of the National Assembly for Beauce-Sud, today announced that the governments of Canada and Quebec are investing over $7.3 million each to reconstruct Promenade Redmond and build a new retaining wall in downtown Saint-Georges. This assistance comes from the New Building Canada Fund, Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure component—Small Communities Fund. The City of Saint-Georges will also contribute more than $7.3 million, bringing the total governmental and municipal investment to nearly $22 million.
This project is a key part of an initiative to revitalize the city's downtown core. Replacing the retaining wall, known as Quai Pinon, will protect downtown Saint Georges against spring flooding, while the improvements to Promenade Redmond will ease traffic flow and make the area more accessible and safer for visitors, cyclists and pedestrians.
Quotes
"We are making investments to support the growth of the middle class and create solid a foundation for a sustainable economic future. Renewing public infrastructure is key to creating strong communities. I am pleased to announce this financial assistance that will enable Saint-Georges to make these important infrastructure upgrades."
Joël Lightbound, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, on behalf of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi
"In addition to ensuring the safety of drivers, pedestrians and cyclists, as well as protecting citizens, the planned upgrades for the retaining wall and Promenade Redmond will help guard against ice damage and high water in the spring. They will also improve access for the several thousand vehicles that travel each day on highways 204, 271, and Highway 173 that leads to the United States."
Paul Busque, Member of the National Assembly for Beauce-Sud
"Given the reports we received from professionals regarding the stability of the retaining wall, we are pleased and relieved that this project is being realized thanks to the collaboration of the governments of Canada and Quebec."
Claude Morin, Mayor of Saint-Georges
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 managed by the Quebec Department of Municipal Affairs and Land Use. The purpose of this program is to provide Canadian municipalities with fewer than 100,000 residents with financial support so they can build infrastructure projects that help protect against natural disasters, among other things.
- 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.
- The 2017-2027 Quebec 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-plus infrastructure plan in Budget 2017: http://www.budget.gc.ca/2017/docs/plan/chap-02-en.html
Federal investment in Quebec infrastructure projects: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/index-eng.html
The 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, 613 219-0149; Diane Faucher, Political attaché, Office of the MNA for Beauce-Sud, 418 226-4570; For information: Infrastructure Canada, 613 960-9251, Toll free: 1 877-250-7154, E-mail: [email protected], Twitter: @INFC_fra, Web site: Infrastructure Canada; Pierre-Luc Lévesque, Communications, Department of Municipal Affairs, Land Occupancy, and Public Security, 418 646-6777, ext. 3746
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