The Office du tourisme de Wendake invites tourists stopping in at the Port of Québec to discover the rich Huron-Wendat culture

Government of Canada awards $225,000 in financial assistance to the Wendake organization

WENDAKE, QC, July 12, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

Tourism provides an excellent opportunity for economic diversification at the national and regional levels. Government of Canada support for recreational tourism and the development of tourist sites and attractions is helping generate significant economic benefits in the regions and communities.

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Member of Parliament for Québec and Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, acting on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CED, announced that the Office du tourisme de Wendake has been granted $225,000 in financial assistance, in the form of a non-repayable contribution, to promote its tourism products to cruise lines visiting the Port of Québec.

Jean Vincent, Deputy Grand Chief of the Nation and President of Wendake's tourism industry, and Colombe Bourque, Director of Wendake's tourism industry, were there to applaud the funding announcement. They took the opportunity to reiterate how important it was for the Wendat-Huron Nation and the other Indigenous nations to receive government assistance to carry out projects like this one.

Since 2006, Tourisme Wendake has galvanized the Huron-Wendat Nation around a cultural concept that provides a unique, distinctive, world-class experience. The project announced today will help the organization market its product to international tourists, more specifically, to cruise lines calling at the Port of Québec.

The funding granted through CED's Quebec Economic Development Program will help Wendake's tourism industry:

• create and install displays at the port evoking the traditions of the Huron-Wendat Nation to reach out to cruise lines;
• engage in public relations with cruise lines, crew and agencies that specialize in cruises.

Quotes

"I am pleased that the government is supporting the Office du tourisme de Wendake's initiative because this project is helping diversify local tourism and showcasing the richness of Quebec and Canada's cultural diversity. The tourism industry is an important economic driver in the Quebec City region. The government wants to ensure that the Huron-Wendat Nation benefits fully from the spinoffs generated by this industry."

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Member of Parliament for Québec and Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

"We are committed to working closely with all levels of government, including the provinces, territories and municipalities, and those representing Indigenous peoples. The Government of Canada is proud to be associated with this major project, which will help ensure the economic and cultural prosperity of the Huron-Wendat Nation and the other Indigenous nations across Canada."

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for CED

"Since 2006, the Huron-Wendat Nation has come together to carry out a growth-generating project: developing its tourism offer. We are grateful to have been able to rely on the Government of Canada's financial support for many of the projects that we have developed and implemented over the past 15 years, which have helped make tourism one of the major pillars of Wendake's economy."

Konrad Sioui, Grand Chief of the Huron-Wendat Nation

"A visit to the village of Wendake is an authentic experience that allows you to soak up many aspects of our traditions: our music, our cuisine, our rituals and our way of life. It is a unique experience. We thank the Government of Canada for being a partner in this promising project. We now invite tourists from around the world and all Quebecers and Canadians to come and meet us in Wendake."

Jean Vincent, Deputy Grand Chief of the Huron-Wendat Nation and President of Wendake's tourism industry

Quick facts

• In operation since August 2006, the Office du tourisme de Wendake is a non-profit organization created by the Council of the Huron-Wendat Nation. Its mission is to promote Indigenous tourism and culture.
• CED is one of the six regional development agencies under the responsibility of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.
• This year marks the 50th anniversary of federal regional economic development in Quebec: half a century of concrete action dedicated to the development of the regions and local businesses.
• For more information on CED and its priorities, consult the 2018–19 Departmental Plan or visit www.dec-ced.gc.ca.
• For more information on Tourisme Wendake, visit www.tourismewendake.ca.

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SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

Media Relations, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Tel.: [phone], [email protected]