The Town of Gaspé will carry out two large-scale projects promoting tourism in the village of Rivière-au-Renard and downtown Gaspé

The federal and provincial governments support projects that foster growth and diversification of the tourism industry in Gaspésie

RIVIÈRE-AU-RENARD, QC, July 14, 2017 /CNW/ - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

Tourism is a major tool for economic diversification in the regions and across Canada. That is why the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec support tourism initiatives like the two projects put forward by the Town of Gaspé, which will generate significant economic benefits in all of Gaspésie.

The projects, "Gaspé, terre de rencontres," a tourist attraction featuring multimedia projections in downtown Gaspé, and the construction of new tourism infrastructure and facilities promoting the marine fishery heritage in Rivière-au-Renard, have been granted $4,727,251 in financial assistance from both levels of government.

The funding is broken down as follows: a $3 million contribution from Quebec's ministère du Tourisme, Maritime Strategy – tourism component, two non-repayable contributions totalling more than $1.5 million from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) and a $150,000 contribution from Quebec's ministère de l'Économie, de la Science et de l'Innovation, granted through the Fonds d'aide aux initiatives régionales (FAIR).

The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Member of Parliament for Gaspésie–Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine and Minister of National Revenue, acting on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CED, and Pierre Moreau, Minister responsible for Government Administration and Ongoing Program Review and Chair of the Conseil du trésor, acting on behalf of Julie Boulet, Minister of Tourism, and Lise Thériault, Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for SMEs, Regulatory Streamlining and Regional Economic Development, made the announcement today, accompanied by Daniel Côté, Mayor of Gaspé.    

Quotes
"Towns like Gaspé and Rivière-au-Renard are prime gathering places for our community and for tourists. The government is determined to work closely with all levels of government, including municipalities, for these types of projects. The financial assistance announced today clearly shows our commitment to fostering sustainable growth in our regions and prosperity in Canada. These tourism projects will contribute greatly to the vitality of our communities."

The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Member of Parliament for Gaspésie–Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine and Minister of National Revenue

"The Government of Canada supports projects like those of the Town of Gaspé, which mobilize and unite our communities. These projects strengthen Canada's communities, stimulate economic activity and tourism, and benefit families and the middle class."

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for CED

"With its numerous attractions and magnificent landscapes, Gaspésie is one of the choice tourist destinations that Quebec is known for and that are treasured by visitors. I congratulate everyone who has worked hard to come up with new ideas and initiatives that are helping Quebec to develop and to distinguish and renew itself. I also commend the courage and tenacity of the people of Gaspésie who, despite heavy flooding in 2007 and 2010, rolled up their sleeves and developed these projects, which are so important for Gaspésie."

Pierre Moreau, Minister responsible for Government Administration and Ongoing Program Review

"Consistent action by all industry stakeholders is one of the key success factors for tourism development. I am very pleased that this project is garnering so much local support and addressing Gaspésie's tourism priorities. It will benefit the entire population by drawing visitors to the region, who can then enjoy other attractions near the heart of the Rivière-au-Renard village."

Julie Boulet, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Mauricie region

"The St. Lawrence River is at the heart of our government's priorities for a reason: it has strong economic potential for the entire province. The project announced today will enhance the attractiveness of a priority product of the Maritime Strategy, namely the development and modernization of marine tourism, and shine a light on Gaspésie and all of Quebec as a tourist destination."

Jean D'Amour, Minister for Maritime Affairs and Minister responsible for the Bas-Saint-Laurent region

"The Government of Quebec is proud to support these projects, which fit in with the directions of the region's recreational tourism niche of excellence. These initiatives are excellent news for Gaspé's tourism industry in that they will generate very lucrative economic benefits for the region. They are original concepts that will enhance the Gaspé Peninsula's tourism offering and will have lasting benefits for the Town of Gaspé. I commend the ingenuity and hard work of the regional stakeholders behind these promising projects."

Lise Thériault, Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for SMEs, Regulatory Streamlining and Regional Economic Development, Minister responsible for the Status of Women and Minister responsible for the Lanaudière region

"These investments will help us implement promising large-scale tourism and economic projects. We can expect a marked increase in tourism traffic, which will heighten the region's vitality. These projects will generate significant spinoff for local businesses and stimulate the creation of other regional development initiatives."

Sébastien Proulx, Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports, Minister of Families and Minister responsible for the Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine region

"These are two very promising projects for tourism development in our municipality. With $911,811 in funding from CED, the official start of the plans and specifications phase of this tourism revitalization project in Rivière-au-Renard, the marine fishing capital of Quebec, will set the foundations for a hydrological study, which will allow us to move forward with the development work in the heart of the village and highlight the importance of this industry for the Town of Gaspé and for the province. Confirmation of Quebec's $3 million contribution to the infrastructure has also given the project tangible momentum. The multimedia project will enhance the tourism offering in downtown Gaspé, providing a spectacular show in a very popular public space: Gaspé, Birthplace of Canada. This project, which is the result of a partnership among a number of local stakeholders, will add an evening event that will keep tourists in downtown Gaspé."

Daniel Côté, Mayor of the Town of Gaspé

Highlights:

• The "Gaspé, terre de rencontres" project includes sound and image projections on a set of sails at the Gaspé, Birthplace of Canada site. They will reflect major events in the town's history, emphasizing the historical involvement of Indigenous, anglophone and francophone people, and showcase other major attractions in the greater Gaspé area.
• With the promotion of the marine fishery heritage in Rivière-au-Renard, the village is reinforcing its reputation as the fishing capital of Quebec. This project is the result of a recreational tourism development master plan for this community, whose economic and social fabric were affected by flooding in 2007 and 2010. The purpose of the initiative is to restore Rivière-au-Renard's place in the Gaspésie tourism circuit through the creation and construction of growth-generating attractions that complement existing attractions in the area, such as Forillon National Park and the Gaspé, Birthplace of Canada site.
• For more information on CED's Quebec Economic Development Program.
• For more information on Quebec's Maritime Strategy.
• The FAIR supports economic and tourism development in the Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine region to foster job creation and prosperity. The goals of the chosen projects are to improve competitiveness and increase the productivity of value-added products. For more information on the FAIR and the projects it supports, visit www.economie.gouv.qc.ca/fair (website in French only).

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SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

Media Relations, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Tel.: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Patrick Soucy, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Mauricie region, Tel.: [phone]; Jérôme Tardif, Communications and Public Relations Coordinator, Town of Gaspé, Tel.: [phone]; Karine Rivard, Communications Director, Office of the Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports, Minister of Families and Minister responsible for the Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine region, Tel.: [phone]; Catherine Poulin, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister responsible for Government Administration and Ongoing Program Review and Chair of the Conseil du trésor, Tel.: [phone]; Clémence Beaulieu Gendron, Press Secretary, Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for SMEs, Regulatory Streamlining and Regional Economic Development, Minister responsible for the Status of Women and Minister responsible for the Lanaudière region, Tel.: [phone]; Marc Lapointe, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister for Maritime Affairs and Minister responsible for the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, Tel.: [phone]