Federal support of Bas-Saint-Laurent tourism enterprise
Rimouski, Quebec, July 19, 2005 -- The
Honourable Jacques Saada, Minister of
Canada Economic Development and Minister responsible for the
Francophonie, today announced the awarding of a $100,000 non-repayable
contribution to Marée Haute sur la Baie, an enterprise dedicated to
promoting the reputation of the Bas-Saint-Laurent and attracting tourism to
Quebec maritime, the province's coastal regions.
The financial assistance will be used to develop and carry out large-scale
tourism and cultural events in the region that capitalize on the natural assets
of the St. Lawrence River's coastal heritage. Based on solid partnerships with
local businesses and organizations, this project will create three jobs in the
region. Over the coming year, Marée Haute sur la Baie will devote itself
to identifying and evaluating various ideas and activities that have the
potential to enhance the region's tourism offering, with the ultimate goal of
organizing a major growth-generating, distinctive, marketable and
commercially-viable event in 2006.
"Finding ways to develop the regional tourism industry is an ongoing
challenge and Canada Economic Development is proud to lend its assistance to
this process," stated Minister Saada. "Marée Haute sur la Baie is a prime
example of an innovative and rallying enterprise dedicated to enhancing the St.
Lawrence and promoting Quebec's maritime region as an exclusive,
one-of-a-kind tourist destination," he noted.
The funding for this project comes from Canada Economic Development's
Regional Strategic Initiative for Bas-Saint-Laurent, a program that identifies
the tourism industry as a key engine of the regional economy.
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.
- 30 -
Sources:
Claudie LamontagneCommunicationsCanada Economic
DevelopmentTel.: 418 722-3282 E-mail:
claudie.lamontagne@dec-ced.gc.ca
Daniel DezaindePress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable Jacques
SaadaCanada Economic DevelopmentTel.: 514
496-1282
