Lamèque to share history of cooperation through new experiential tourism offering

From: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

News release

July 20, 2023 · Lamèque, New Brunswick · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

Canada has much to offer visitors from coast to coast to coast: breathtaking landscapes and wide open spaces; diverse and inclusive experiences and welcoming people who provide outstanding service. Combined with tourism operators and workers who are firmly focused on visitor experience excellence, Canada is a globally recognized destination of choice.

The Government of Canada is here to help Atlantic Canadian tourism businesses, organizations and operators strengthen and grow the industry, attract more visitors to the region, and develop fresh approaches to delivering world-class experiences.

Today, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA, alongside Serge Cormier, Member of Parliament for Acadie-Bathurst, announced a Government of Canada investment of $968,846 for the Carrefour Coop Ltée in Lamèque to create a new interpretation centre.  ACOA is contributing $500,000 through the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF), and the Department of Canadian Heritage is providing $468,846 for the Development of Official Language Communities Program through the Community Spaces Fund.

The Province of New Brunswick is also providing $400,000 through the Regional Development Corporation and $250,000 through the Canada Community Building Fund.

The new interpretation centre will celebrate the Acadian cooperative movement that helped drive growth in sectors including renewable energy and fishing. With renovations to two existing buildings, the Carrefour Coop will feature videos, immersive experiences, cultural and historical displays, and allow visitors to climb aboard fishing vessels. The centre will be a unique and integral part of the Acadian Peninsula’s tourism cluster.  

Launched in July 2021, the TRF has helped organizations and businesses in the tourism sector upgrade their offering of innovative products and services, enticing visitors to visit, and reinvigorating the economy. Canada’s regional development agencies have been delivering the $485 million in TRF support. 

Quotes

“We have so much to be proud of in our beautiful region, and so much to share with visitors. With the support announced today, we are recognizing the tourism sector’s vital importance to our economy, and helping the Carrefour Coop in Lamèque develop a world-class experience that makes Atlantic Canada such a sought-after destination. With projects like this, we are contributing to the momentum of a strong and brighter future in Atlantic Canada.”

- The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA

“As we move past the acute phase of the pandemic, Canada’s tourism sector is showing strong signs of growth. The Government of Canada’s investments in tourism over the last two years focused on the survival of our visitor economy. As we move to revival and the growth of the sector, we continue to provide targeted support to tourism businesses so they can keep delivering unforgettable experiences. A fully recovered and robust tourism sector is key to our government’s ongoing work in building an economy that works for all Canadians.”

- The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance

“The Acadian Peninsula has a number of unique tourist experiences to offer visitors to the region.  This new interpretive centre in Lamèque will complement current offerings and help attract and retain visitors, generating economic benefits and repositioning the Acadian Peninsula as a choice destination for families and visitors.”

- Serge Cormier, Member of Parliament for Acadie-Bathurst

“This community has a 200-year history of cooperation that is based in the fishing industry. This is a history to celebrated and shared with residents and visitors. The Carrefour Coop will serve as an anchor product for the tourism experience on the Peninsula and the Province is pleased to invest in this important project.” 

- Réjean Savoie, Minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation

“The Carrefour Coop project is very special, not to mention exclusive, with its educational, cultural, heritage, recreational, tourism and environmental components. We appreciate having had access to different programs thanks to a concerted approach from our funders, whether they be the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Heritage Canada, the New Brunswick Regional Development Corporation or the Community Futures Fund of Canada managed by the provincial Department of Local Government. ”

- Paul Lanteigne, President Carrefour Coop Ltée

Quick facts

  • Carrefour Coop Ltée is a multi-partner, non-profit cooperative association, with a mission to create and operate an interpretive centre in Lamèque offering a range of educational, cultural, heritage and recreational attractions and experiences.

  • The Tourism Relief Fund was a $500-million national program to support the tourism sector in Canada, including $485 million for regional priorities administered by Canada’s regional development agencies and $15 million for national priorities administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.

  • A minimum of $50 million of the fund’s budget was earmarked for Indigenous tourism projects. Indigenous communities that rely heavily on tourism were disproportionately affected by the pandemic. 

  • $48.5 million from the Tourism Relief Fund was allocated to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency to administer in the Atlantic region. 

  • Launched in July 2021, the Tourism Relief Fund ended on March 31, 2023. 

Associated links

Contacts

Marianne Blondin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Official Languages and of the
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Marianne.Blondin@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Samantha Michaud  
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
samantha.michaud@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Mary-Anne Hurley-Corbyn
Communications
Regional Development Corporation
mary-anne.hurley-corbyn@gnb.ca

Annie Chiasson
Vice-President
Carrefour Coop Ltée.
506-727-8160

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