Cultural and Community Infrastructure Strengthened in Caraquet
News Release
September 13, 2017 – Caraquet, NB – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Caraquet families and tourists alike will benefit from improved places to socialize and celebrate the Acadian culture as a result of $668,000 from the governments of Canada and New Brunswick.
The funding was announced today by Serge Cormier, Member of Parliament for Acadie-Bathurst and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), joined by Caraquet MLA Hédard Albert, on behalf of Honourable Bill Fraser, minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation, as well as Claude L’Ésperance, President and CEO of the Centre Culturel de Caraquet (French only).
The funding supports upgrades to the Carrefour de la Mer site including the addition of a boardwalk with six wooden shelters and the purchase and installation of a large tent to accommodate cultural and tourism events. The centre’s grounds and Visitor Information Centre will also be upgraded as a result of this project. The renewed centre will be a dynamic space to showcase cultural offerings and will support long-term growth in the region as it will better position Caraquet to attract more tourists.
The Government of Canada, through ACOA, is providing $300,000 under the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program (CIP 150), a $300‑million fund that was established to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday through investments in the community spaces that bring Canadians together. Of that amount, up to $33.2 million is being invested in Atlantic Canada.
The Province of New Brunswick is providing $368,000 from the Regional Development Corporation.
Quotes
“This investment is a community-building project to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary. And there’s no better way to mark this milestone than to celebrate the places that bring us together—the places that allow us to stay fit, unwind and connect with our friends and neighbours. That’s how we establish the bonds of common understanding and friendship in a country where people come from every corner of the world. The values of openness, diversity and inclusion that define all Canadians are forged in our community spaces.”
-The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA.
“Places used for gatherings such as the site of the Carrefour de la Mer of Caraquet are essential to the economic and tourism development of our region. Investments such as this one will allow people from here and abroad to take advantage of this modernized establishment for many years to come. We are grateful to have a site like the Carrefour that provides the necessary space for shows, family gatherings and large scale celebrations here in Caraquet.”
-Serge Cormier, Member of Parliament for Acadie-Bathurst and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
“Tourism is a key part of your government’s economic vision. The investment in Centre Culturel de Caraquet will help increase tourism in Caraquet and the Acadian Peninsula.”
-Hédard Albert, MLA for Caraquet, on behalf of Honourable Bill Fraser, minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation
“The development of our Carrefour will create a unique attraction for visitors and will reinforce the centre’s role as a tool for regional tourism development. With a new Information Centre and an enhanced capacity to welcome visitors, we hope our grounds will become even more of a gathering place for the community, a space reflecting cultural expression for Acadie, as well as a place for recreation, and family fun for all. We also hope the Centre will give tourists a Maritime experience. We wouldn’t be able to achieve all this without valuable support from municipal, provincial, and federal governments.”
-Claude L’Ésperance, President and CEO, Centre Culturel de Caraquet
Contacts
Jennifer Houle
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-261-5534
Bruce Macfarlane
Communications
Regional Development Corporation
506-444-4377
Claude L’Espérance
President and CEO
Centre Culturel de Caraquet
506-726-5000