SAINT-PASCAL, January 24, 2005 -- A $1,279,720 competitive contract has been awarded to Marcel Charest et Fils Inc., of Saint-Pascal, Quebec, to undertake office reconstruction and renovations at the Government of Canada Building at 84 Carrefour Street in Grande-Rivière, Quebec. Awarded on behalf of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, this contract will be completed in June 2005. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Jean-C. Lapierre, Minister of Transport, on behalf of the Honourable Scott Brison, Minister of Public Works and Government Services. "This project involves almost doubling the size of this building," said Minister Lapierre. "The work will also substantially add to the number of offices available for staff. The Government of Canada is committed to maintaining its facilities to the highest possible standards and to ensuring that these facilities continue to serve local requirements." The company will add 290 square metres of office space to the existing building which measures 312 square metres. It will also build additional workstations and carry out renovations within existing offices. It will install an acoustic tile ceiling, new doors, office furniture and new lighting fixtures. The contractor will also install variable air conditioning and heating units throughout the building. Funding for this contract was provided for in the March 2004 Federal Budget. For information on contracting opportunities with the Government of Canada, visit www.merx.com, Canada's official, public sector electronic tendering service. - 30 - For further information, media may contact: Renée David Press Secretary Office of Minister Brison (819) 997-5421 Mario Baril Manager, Media Relations PWGSC (819) 956-2315 André Fortin Office of Minister Lapierre (613) 991-0700
