The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos and Joël Lightbound announce contributions totalling over $1.1M for seven cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and quad clubs in the Québec and Chaudière-Appalaches regions Français
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions supports the maintenance of cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and quad trails in these two regions to draw winter activity lovers from home and abroad in coming years.
QUÉBEC, April 8, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)
The practice of winter trail activities contributes to Quebec's regional vitality. In the context of a global pandemic, several regions have been impacted by the temporary absence of international tourists. Outdoor activities have nonetheless enabled local people to enjoy themselves and take advantage of Canada's natural beauty and richness, while also helping to diversify the economies of our communities.
To showcase more broadly the unparalleled attractions around Quebec's regions and to enable businesses and organizations offering winter trail activities to be ready for the next season, we must continue to invest in trail maintenance and provide an optimal experience to tourists from home and abroad.
Enhancing the experience of future winter seasons
With this in mind, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Member of Parliament for Québec and President of the Treasury Board, and Joël Lightbound, Member of Parliament for Louis-Hébert and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for CED, today announced financial support totalling $1,104,209 for the Club Motoneige l'Escale St-Pamphile, the Club Motoneige Bellechasse, the Club Motoneigiste Beaux Sentiers, the Club Moto-neige Alton, Quad Amiante, the Club motoneige Beauce-Frontenac and the Club Quad Chaudière-Appalaches Nord through the Winter Tourism Initiative.
Additional information on the projects is provided in a related backgrounder.
The Government of Canada is keen to support recreational, cultural and sports projects that have a positive impact on tourism and the local economy, especially in these uncertain times. The investments announced today are helping to improve and prepare facilities for the post-COVID-19 recovery, and these initiatives will benefit all Canadians, and then tourists from around the world.
Quotes
"The CED support announced today confirms our willingness to boost winter tourism projects and reaffirms our commitment to Canadian businesses, organizations and citizens in these difficult times. The financial contributions granted to these businesses and organizations represent very good news for the drawing power of Québec and Chaudière-Appalaches. Thanks to Government of Canada investments in the winter attractions, we will ensure we are ready to receive tourists from our own region, and then from around the world!"
The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Member of Parliament for Québec and President of the Treasury Board
"I am delighted the Government of Canada is supporting tourism businesses and organizations in Québec and Chaudière-Appalaches in these crucial times. Let's take advantage of this opportunity to rethink this sector's products, services and processes as we look forward with great anticipation to the reopening of national and international tourism."
Joël Lightbound, Member of Parliament for Louis-Hébert and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
"Tourism is an economic engine for all our communities and will be a key part of our economic recovery. Winter tourism dynamizes regions during the coldest months of the year and, as we have seen during the pandemic, it contributes not only to citizens' well-being but also to the vitality of local economies. Our government is proud to promote initiatives such as these, which are having a positive impact on regional economic development, supporting good jobs for the middle class and bringing joy to people in a Nordic country such as ours."
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Member of Parliament for Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for CED
Quick facts
- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, is also the minister responsible for the six regional development agencies (RDAs), including CED.
- With an initial budget of $10M over two years from CED's Quebec Economic Development Program, the Winter Tourism Initiative aims to boost the practice of winter trail activities and sports and the resulting economic spin-offs. It enables organizations to acquire equipment and sustain safe maintenance activities for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and quad trails. Given the significant spin-offs of many of the projects presented through the Initiative, the budget has been topped up to a current total of nearly $13M.
- CED is a key federal partner in Quebec's regional economic development. With its 12 regional business offices, CED accompanies businesses, supporting organizations and all regions across Quebec into tomorrow's economy.
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SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Media Relations, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, [email protected]; Catherine Mounier-Desrochers, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, [email protected]
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