Saint-Irénée, August 17, 2006 - The Premier of Quebec,
Jean Charest, and Member of Parliament for Beauport - Limoilou
and Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and to the Minister for
La Francophonie and Official Languages Sylvie Boucher, on behalf of the
Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of
Canada Economic Development, are pleased to announce, in the presence
of Michel Després, Quebec's Ministre des Transports et ministre
responsable de la région de la Capitale-Nationale, that the Domaine Forget
de Charlevoix will receive $2,440,900 in government assistance under the
Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF).
This assistance will lead to the reconstruction of a service
pavilion destroyed by fire in June 2005. The new two-storey building will
cover approximately 1,270 square metres. It will comprise three
practice studios for students in music and two other rooms for various music and
dance training activities. The project also includes a new cafeteria and an
outdoor terrace. This initiative will maintain about 75 jobs at this
cultural institution located in the Municipality of Saint-Irénée, near the
St. Lawrence River, in the Charlevoix.
"I am convinced that the new building will better meet the growing
needs of Domaine Forget's clientele, that it will be more functional and help
extend the peak tourist season in this exceptional region. The Government of
Quebec has made municipal infrastructure modernization a priority. This
upgrading is essential to ensuring adequate basic services to the population and
the harmonious development of our municipalities and regions," said
Premier Jean Charest.
"This musical institution, grouped together in a set of historic
properties, is a very prestigious forum. Domaine Forget is the pride and joy of
the people of Charlevoix and the national capital region as a whole. In
financially supporting this renowned institution, the Government of Quebec
demonstrates the importance it assigns to the cultural and economic growth of
the Charlevoix," said Minister Michel Després.
"The Government of Canada is proud to support the Domaine Forget,
a strong cultural and economic engine in the Charlevoix. Our support attests to
our commitment to enhancing citizens' quality of life in a tangible and lasting
way and contributing to the economic development and vitality of the region,"
said MP Sylvie Boucher.
The project will require a total eligible investment of
$3,661,349. Under the terms of component 3 of the MRIF, the Government of Quebec
and the Government of Canada will each contribute $1,220,450 toward the project
for a total of $2,440,900 in combined government funding, while the Domaine
Forget de Charlevoix will contribute the amount of $1,220,449.
The Domaine Forget de Charlevoix is a non-profit organization
dedicated since 1978 to music and dance training and performance. It runs an
internally known music and dance academy that welcomes some 120 teachers
and 600 artists each summer, about a quarter of whom are from abroad. This
makes it one of the most important institutions of its kind in Canada. In
September 2000, the Association des centres culturels de rencontre
designated Domaine Forget de Charlevoix as the first cultural meeting centre
abroad, first-time recognition of a heritage organization outside Europe.
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 the MRIF are to upgrade community infrastructure, improve the quality of the
environment, promote long-term economic growth and enhance citizens' quality of
life.
Implementation of the MRIF in Quebec is the result of a joint
agreement signed by the Government of Quebec and the 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.
-30-
Source:
Pierre ChoquetteOffice of the Prime Minister418 643-5321
Information:
Vincent LehouillierPolitical AttachéOffice of the
Ministre des Affaires municipales et des Régions418 691-2050
Roxanne MarchandPress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable
Jean-Pierre BlackburnCanada Economic Development819 953-5646613
816-5094
Isabelle Beaudin Communications AdvisorCanada Economic
Development514 283-7301
Canada Economic Development is on line at www.dec-ced.gc.ca.
