Québec, May 29, 2006 - Acting on behalf of
Nathalie Normandeau, Quebec's Ministre des Affaires municipales et des
Régions, Laurent Lessard, Ministre du Travail and Ministre
responsable de la région de Chaudière-Appalaches , joined the
Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Industry and Member of
Parliament for Beauce, acting on behalf of the
Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of
Canada Economic Development, in announcing last Saturday that the
MRC de la Nouvelle-Beauce will receive $400,000 in government funding
under the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF).
This assistance will enable the Regional County Municipality (RCM) to pave
certain sections of the Véloroute de la Chaudière, over a total distance
of some 25 kilometres, in the municipalities of Saint-Isidore, Scott,
Sainte-Marie and Vallée-Jonction.
The Véloroute de la Chaudière is a 45 km bicycle path running
between the municipalities of Saint-Lambert-de-Lauzon and Vallée-Jonction along
the Chaudière River Valley. It forms an integral part of the Route verte du
Québec, the province's bicycle path network.
"I am convinced that this upgraded infrastructure will encourage a greater
number of our fellow citizens to incorporate sports and physical activity into
their daily lives, thereby enhancing their quality of life," stated
Minister Laurent Lessard.
"This investment is a good example of cooperation among the three levels of
government. It will help ensure that a greater number of cyclists, hikers and
tourists are able to discover and enjoy the many charms and splendours of our
magnificent Beauce region," added Minister of Industry and Member of Parliament
for Beauce, Maxime Bernier.
The work will require a total investment of $1,322,437, of which $600,000 is
eligible for assistance under component 3 of the MRIF. The MRC de la
Nouvelle-Beauce will thus pay $922,437 toward the project, while the
Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec will each contribute $200,000,
for a total of $400,000 in combined government funding.
The Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund is a $390 million cost-sharing
initiative of the Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada to help
finance municipal infrastructure projects in Quebec. With the financial
participation of municipalities, this initiative could result in investments of
nearly $576 million for infrastructure work in the province. The objectives of
theMRIF are to upgrade community infrastructure, improve the quality of the
environment, promote long-term economic growth and enhance citizens' quality of
life. The Fund focuses on three main component areas: drinking water and
wastewater infrastructure; development of knowledge with respect to municipal
infrastructure; and local or regional development support infrastructure.
Implementation of the MRIF in Quebec is the result of a joint agreement
signed by the Government of Quebec and Government of Canada in July 2005. The
program, which is in force until March 31, 2010, is administered by
Quebec's Ministère des Affaires
municipales et des Régions .
Canada Economic Development is responsible for delivering the federal
portion of the MRIF on behalf of the Government of Canada.
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Source:
Jean-Pierre GagnonCommunications AdvisorCommunications
BranchMinistère des Affaires municipales et des Régions418
691-2019
Information:
Jonathan TrudeauPress SecretaryOffice of the Ministre
des Affaires municipales et des Régions418 691-2050
Roxanne MarchandPress SecretaryOffice of theHonourable
Jean-Pierre BlackburnCanada Economic Development 819 953-5646613
816-5094
Nadja RaphaëlCommunications AdvisorCanada Economic
Development 514 283-2634
Canada Economic Development is on line at www.dec-ced.gc.ca.
