Sacré-Cur, Quebec, July 12, 2006 -- On behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, as well as Ms. Françoise Gauthier, Quebec Minister of Tourism, today inaugurated the Anse-de-Roche discovery site.
The Anse-de-Roche discovery site has two components relating to the theme "Along the Water". The first consists of a series of interpretation panels that explore the theme of the fjord as a navigation channel: the dangers that it presents, its unique features as a navigable route, etc. The second is aimed at boaters and kayakers since Anse-de-Roche is one of the few marinas that gives access to the mouth of the St. Lawrence.
"This new discovery site contributes directly to Parks Canada's educational mandate. Thanks to this initiative, Canadians will better understand the importance that Anse-de-Roche had in the past as a transit port. They will also learn to appreciate it as the port of entry that it is today," declared Rona Ambrose, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada.
The approximately $120 000 invested in the Anse-de-Roche marina is the result of a partnership between Canada Economic Development, Parks Canada, L'Association touristique régionale de Manicouagan, Parcs Québec and L'Association récréo-touristique de l'Anse-de-Roche. This investment enabled infrastructure restoration and the creation of the Anse-de-Roche marina discovery site, which is now the fifteenth site in the Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park's Discovery Network.
"The new face of Anse-de-Roche makes this site one of the most interesting tourism products in the region. I am proud that my department contributed to this project. Developing a strong tourism industry is a priority for Canada Economic Development. The resulting economic benefits contribute significantly to the local communities' quality of life," said Minister Blackburn.
"Thanks to the cooperation and openness of the community of Sacré-Cur and the other partners in the project, the Saguenay-St-Lawrence Marine Park can achieve its mandate and make accessible an important segment of the Saguenay's natural and cultural heritage. This project confirms once more that Quebec truly is a maritime destination," said Minister Gauthier.
The Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park is located in a section of the St. Lawrence Estuary and the Saguenay Fjord. With a surface area of 1 138 km², this large ecosystem is unique because of its sea bottom topography and its fjord. The Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park is the first park in Quebec to protect and present an exclusively marine environment. It has the distinctive feature of being managed jointly by the governments of Canada and Quebec, in association with local bodies.
For further information, please contact:
Ryan Sparrow
Associate Director and Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(819) 997-1441
Jack Roy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Tourisme
(418) 528-8063
Lise Rochette
Senior Communications Advisor
Communication Services
Parks Canada - Quebec
(418) 648-4539
