March 30, 2005 NEW LISKEARD, ON -- The Honourable Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, the Honourable Jacques Saada, Minister of Canada Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Francophonie and the Honourable Joe Comuzzi, Minister of State (FedNor), today announced that the surveying and charting of Lake Timiskaming conducted by the Canadian Hydrographic Service has now been completed. As a result of this charting, boaters can now navigate the 486 km long Lake Timiskaming/Ottawa River Waterway from Notre-Dame-du-Nord (Quebec) and New Liskeard (Ontario) to Arnprior (Ontario). The Waterway is an impressive network of dams' and rapids' bypass sites on the Ottawa River and Lake Timiskaming. "I am proud of this achievement," said Minister Regan. "The high quality of our science has again been the key to our success. The acquisition and selection of information by our most experienced staff was controlled by meticulous national and international standards during several phases of the production. And now Canadian boaters can benefit from it." The project was funded by Fisheries and Oceans Canada ($319,000), FedNor ($75,000), and Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) ($75,000). "We are confident that this map will be an important tool for tourism development, benefiting populations on either side of Lake Timiskaming. Moreover, it will promote the safer use of this magnificent body of water, one of Canada's oldest navigation routes that served as a major economic hub in the days of the Northwest and Hudson's Bay trading companies," added Minister Saada. 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. One priority the Agency has set for itself is to foster innovation and the knowledge economy in each region of Quebec. Many other organizations were also involved in the project including local economic development groups (South Timiskaming Community Futures in Ontario and la Société d'aide au développement des collectivités du Témiscamingue in Quebec), and the municipalities of Haileybury and New Liskeard in Ontario and Témiscaming, Ville-Marie and Notre-Dame-du-Nord in Quebec. The local economic development groups obtained supporting funds from FedNor and CED. "This project supports FedNor's goal of strengthening the tourism industry in Northern Ontario," said Minister of State Comuzzi. "The hydrographic survey of Lake Temiskaming will help attract more boating enthusiasts to the Ottawa River Waterway, and result in economic growth for the region." This new chart is now available for purchase from your local CHS Chart Dealer or at the CHS Sales and Distribution Office. A listing of CHS Chart Dealers is available at: http://www.charts.gc.ca/pub/en/dealers. The production and release of this chart is a clear demonstration of the commitment of all partners to provide to its clients up-to-date, timely, and accurate hydrographic publications necessary for safe and efficient navigation for navigable waters of Canada. - 30 - Information: Christiane Parcigneau Media Relations Fisheries and Oceans Canada Ottawa (613) 998-1530 Brian Underhill Director of Communications Office of the Minister Fisheries and Oceans Canada Ottawa (613) 992-3474 François Bélisle Communications Canada Economic Development Tel: (819) 825-5260 ext. 235 françois.belisle@dec-ced.gc.ca Daniel Dezainde Press Secretary Office of the Honourable Jacques Saada Canada Economic Development Tel: (514) 496-1282 Paul Denis Communications Officer FedNor (705) 670-5329 or 1 877 333-6673 Graeme Wilkes Director of Communications Office of the Honourable Joe Comuzzi (613) 947-5850
