Fonds d'initiatives du Plan Nord - Nine projects on the Lower North Shore receive over $460,000 in funding

CÔTE-NORD-DU-GOLFE-DU-SAINT-LAURENT, QC, May 24, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Nine projects in the MRC du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent  have been selected by the Fonds d'initiatives du Plan Nord (FIPN) since it began operations in 2015. The Société du Plan Nord (SPN) has granted $465,232 from the FIPN to support the selected projects, which all have an economic or social focus.

The objective of the FIPN is to support and promote projects that generate economic activity in the area covered by the Plan Nord, enhance the development of northern communities, and target environmental protection and biodiversity conservation.

Highlights:

In addition to three northern agricultural projects to renew and diversify the economy in the village of Gros-Mécatina (amount granted: $243,969), the initiatives selected are as follows:

• the Archéo-Mamu Côte-Nord organization will develop archaeology-based tourist excursions to highlight heritage in the Blanc-Sablon sector ($6,160);
• the Centre des Premières Nations Nikanite of Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) has given 10 Indigenous students an opportunity to acquire theoretical and practical knowledge about archaeology on a worksite of the Ministère des Transports, de la Mobilité durable et de l'Électrification des transports in the community of La Romaine ($44,435);
• the municipality of Gros-Mécatina has completed maintenance and tree-clearing work around the Gros-Mécatina heliport and repaired a footbridge in the Baie-des-Moutons sector ($42,886);
• the Association de développement touristique de Tête-à-la-Baleine will renovate and change the layout of the municipal marina ($50,000);
• the adult general education centre at École Marie-Sarah, part of the Commission scolaire du Littoral, will set up a reception kiosk in La Romaine (community of Unamen Shipu). The kiosk will sell handcrafts and make tourists travelling on the ship Bella-Desgagnés more aware of Innu culture. The project also targets the development of entrepreneurship by Innus training in handcrafts ($13,500);
• the municipality of Côte-Nord-du-Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent will purchase a platform lift for persons with reduced mobility to give them access to the multi-function room in the village of Chevery ($64,282).

Quotes:

"I am currently touring communities along the Lower North Shore that can only be reached by boat or plane. The reality for people here is not the same as in major urban centres. The projects announced today reflect their creativity and ability to innovate in order to development their economy. I would like to thank the people in all the communities I have visited for their warm welcome."

Pierre Arcand, Minister responsible for Government Administration and Ongoing Program Review, and Minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region

"This is excellent news! The financial assistance confirmed today will help various organizations on the Lower North Shore respond effectively to the needs of the population. The initiatives reflect several Plan Nord objectives and will clearly boost the dynamic approach in these northern communities."

Pierre Moreau, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Minister responsible for the Plan Nord and Minister responsible for the Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine region

SOURCE Cabinet du ministre responsable de l'Administration gouvernementale et de la Révision permanente des programmes et président du Conseil du trésor

Source: Cynthia St-Hilaire, Press officer, Office of the Minister responsible for Government Administration and Ongoing Program Review, Chair of the Conseil du trésor and Minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region, Phone: [phone]; Catherine Poulin, Press officer, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Minister responsible for the Plan Nord and Minister responsible for the Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine region, Phone: [phone]; Information: Guillaume Lavoie, Communications officer, Société du Plan Nord, Phone: [phone], @PlanNord