Support to promote Anglophone cultural and heritage tourism in Quebec Morin Heights, Quebec, August 25, 2004 -- The Honourable Jacques Saada, Minister of Canada Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Francophonie, today announced the awarding, by the Government of Canada, of a non-repayable contribution of $95,324 to the Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network (QAHN) for the creation of a second cultural and heritage webmagazine, a virtual tourism window on the Laurentians. Back in December 2001, Canada Economic Development provided a first contribution of $180,000 to the Townshippers' Association to help it launch the Townships Heritage WebMagazine, where visitors could discover the rich history and heritage of the Eastern Townships of Quebec. This second contribution will enable QAHN to launch its second regional Internet magazine, Laurentian Heritage, a bilingual webmagazine of more than 120 pages and involving over a dozen organizations. This webmagazine will be a way to encourage people, especially New Englanders, to visit the region in person and discover the culture and heritage of the Laurentians' English-speaking community. Moreover, the support from Canada Economic Development will enable the Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network to develop and market a series of eight day trips into the region. These 'Heritage Trail' itineraries will include the publication of leaflets, updating a portal as well as promotional and networking activities. 'Cultural and heritage tourism is a relatively new trend. More and more people are planning pleasure trips around themes like this. The Laurentians tourist region has deep heritage roots and an abundance of architectural and historic treasures. Thanks to the webmagazine being launched here today, the image we will project on foreign markets will be that of a welcoming region, well structured for this type of tourism,' said Mr. Saada. 'This project will certainly increase the number of foreign tourists coming to the region and encourage them to extend their stays with us. This second QAHN webmagazine will not only target New England visitors but also tourists from England and France, who have natural cultural affinities with the region,' added the Minister. Canada Economic Development is providing the Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network with a non-repayable contribution of $95,324 under its IDEA-SME Program. Funding for this initiative comes in part from Canadian Heritage's Interdepartmental Partnership with the Official-Language Communities (IPOLC) Program. Canada Economic Development's mandate is to promote the economic development of the regions of Quebec. Primarily through financial assistance programs, the Agency elicits and supports the implementation of economic development projects. The two priorities the Agency has set itself are to foster innovation and the knowledge economy in each region of Quebec, and to help communities that are having difficulty adjusting to the new economy. In this way, the Agency contributes to the attainment of the Government of Canada's objective of building the 21st Century economy. Funding for this initiative was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget. - 30 - Sources: Lyne MontpellierCommunicationsCanada Economic Development(800) 567-8637Pierre LacoursièreOffice of the Honourable Jacques Saada(514) 496-1282
