Québec, August 8, 2006 - The
Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of
Canada Economic Development, today announced that the open-air Agora
amphitheatre will be renovated and remain at Pointe-à-Carcy.
The Government of Canada has concluded that the best solution is to maintain
the Agora at its present location, which is what Québec's youth, its primary
users, had hoped.
"We responded to a desire expressed by a majority, while choosing the most
economical solution. The Agora's upgrading and new facilities in Pointe-à-Carcy
will give tourists and users an exceptional window on Québec and its river,"
said Minister Blackburn, surrounded by Members of Parliament and other
invited guests from the region.
"I want to thank all Québecers who expressed their views on the future of the
Agora. I would also like to underscore the invaluable work of my colleague, the
Honourable Josée Verner, and MPs Steven Blaney, Sylvie Boucher,
Jacques Gourde, Luc Harvey and Daniel Petit from the Québec region. Their advice
greatly enlightened my thinking," said Mr. Blackburn. "I also want to thank the
Québec Port Authority and especially its President and CEO, Ross Gaudreault, for
their professionalism and cooperation."
"As Minister responsible for the Québec region, I am thrilled with this sound
decision which respects timetables as well as the expressed wishes of Québec's
young people," commented the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of
International Cooperation and Minister for the Francophonie and Official
Languages. "We want 400th anniversary visitors to be able to
admire these new facilities. In 2008, we will all celebrate together the
founding of the City of Québec where the Canadian state was founded."
Plans and estimates for the Agora's modernization will soon be completed. The
work will include new seats for the amphitheatre which will be fitted with
state-of-the-art performing arts equipment. The first phase will focus on the
technical parameters and preparation of an evaluation of the costs associated
with rebuilding the facilities.
Apart from Québec's completely renovated Jean-Lesage airport, Pointe-à-Carcy,
its Agora and redevelopment will contribute to the old capital's tourism
potential by offering cruise travellers docking in Québec a sight to behold, a
living postcard of the Port of Québec. Pointe-à-Carcy will also become a meeting
ground where the people of Québec - the young and the young at heart - can
gather and enjoy the site during the celebrations surrounding Québec's
400th anniversary and for years to come.
The addition of the Agora and Pointe-à-Carcy redevelopment project to
previous major initiatives announced by the Government of Canada brings total
federal investment in Québec to about $125 million since the beginning of
the year.
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Sources:
Guylaine BeaudoinCommunicationsCanada Economic DevelopmentTel.:
514-283-0368E-mail: guylaine.beaudoin@dec-ced.gc.caPierre
MiquelonSenior Special AssistantOffice of the Honourable Jean-Pierre
BlackburnCanada Economic
DevelopmentTel.: 514-496-1282E-mail: pierre.miquelon@dec-ced.gc.ca
Canada Economic Development is on line at www.dec-ced.gc.ca.
