Gaspé, Quebec, July 5, 2005 - The
Honourable Jacques Saada, Minister of
Canada Economic Development and Minister responsible for the
Francophonie, today announced the awarding of $39,990 in contributions to three
projects in the Haute-Gaspésie region whose overall investments
total $154,800. This funding will help diversify and enhance the quality of the
tourism offering in the Chic-Choc Mountains area, build the
regional economy and foster the creation or maintenance of some 30 jobs.
"With the more than $180 million in annual spinoffs it generates and the
4,000 jobs it provides, the tourism industry is the driving force of the Gaspé
economy. To be able to keep pace with world tourism trends and extend its
renown, the Gaspé and Magdalen Islands region needs to strengthen its drawing
power and raise the quality of its reception and accommodation infrastructures
in order to meet the increasingly high standards of comfort and service that
today's travellers demand," stated Minister Saada.
A contribution of $16,640 has been awarded under
Canada Economic Development's Regional Strategic Initiatives Program
to Motel Restaurant Fleur de Lys in Cap-Chat to
carry out renovations on its rooms and reception building in order to obtain a
three-star rating, a project that created three seasonal jobs. The new
facilities of the motel were officially inaugurated last weekend.
A second contribution of $8,050 will go to Eskamer Aventure Inc., a
startup company that offers sea kayak guide services and lessons and plans to
provide forest survival training courses as well. By partnering with Seashack,
Eskamer Aventure hopes to offer a new attraction to avid adventure
tourists visiting the Chic-Chocs region. The project will lead to
the creation of two seasonal jobs in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts.
A third contribution of $15,300 will be awarded under the Agency's
IDEA-SME Program to the Corporation de développement de la
Rivière-Madeleine to support the Corporation's restructuring
efforts as well as the conducting of development and marketing plans aimed at
promoting this exceptional site known for its salmon fishing. The Corporation's
mission is to manage and operate the activities on
Rivière-Madeleine, a tourist attraction that provides some 15 local
jobs every summer.
Canada Economic Development supports the development of tourism
products that show a strong potential for drawing international visitors and
extending the tourism season. The investments announced today are also in close
alignment with one of its key priorities for the region, which involves
emphasizing tourism development by product and by destination in order to
increase economic spinoffs from the tourism sector.
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.
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Sources:
Karina GagnonCommunicationsCanada Economic DevelopmentTel.: 418 368-5870
or 1 866 368-0044E -mail:
karina.gagnon@dec-ced.gc.caDaniel DezaindePress
SecretaryOffice of the
Honourable Jacques SaadaCanada Economic DevelopmentTel.: 514 496-1282
