Messines, September 22, 2006 - Acting on behalf of
Nathalie Normandeau, Quebec's Ministre des Affaires municipales et des
Régions, Réjean Lafrenière, Member of the National Assembly for
Gatineau and Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministre des Transports,
today joined the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Pontiac, acting on
behalf of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and
Minister of Canada Economic Development, in announcing that the
Municipality of Messines will receive $329,632 in combined government funding
under the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) to expand and renovate its
multicultural centre.
This government assistance will serve to carry out improvements to the
interior and exterior of the municipal community centre. The expansion portion
of the project involves building a one-floor annex that will house a large hall,
cloakroom, smaller multi-use hall measuring some 48 square meters,
kitchen and all of the necessary amenities to meet client needs. The renovation
of the building will consist in replacing doors and windows, rebuilding the
chimney, installing an air conditioning system and various interior
refurbishments.
"Positioned in the heart of a bustling resort region, Messines is a choice
destination for tourists. This multicultural centre will help promote the
economic growth of the community and serve as an important meeting place and
recreation site for local residents as well as for the many visitors who come to
this region," commented Réjean Lafrenière.
"It is government's role to establish the conditions necessary to fostering
the economic, social and cultural development of our communities. The Government
of Canada is proud to partner in the expansion and renovation of multicultural
and multi-use centres like this one in Messines, which help tighten the weave of
the local fabric and build a stronger sense of community," stated Minister
Cannon.
Completion of this major project will require a total investment of $742,323,
of which $494,449 is eligible under Component 3 of the MRIF. As such, the
Government of Quebec and Government of Canada will each contribute $164,816
toward the work, for a total of $329,632 in combined government funding, while
the Municipality of Messines will assume $164,817 of the project's costs, in
addition to $247,874 in complementary work, for a total of $412,691.
The population of Messines swells considerably during the summer season. To
help maintain and support the development of its economy, the municipality hopes
to offer more services to its permanent and seasonal residents while drawing
more visitors to the area. The upgrade of its community centre will enable the
municipality to host a variety of events such as festivals, mini-conferences,
group meetings, exhibitions and shows.
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
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Source:
Christine Poirier LabergeCommunications
AdvisorCommunications BranchMinistère des Affaires municipales et des
Régions514-873-3687
Information:
Jonathan TrudeauPress SecretaryOffice of the Ministre
des Affaires municipales et des Régions 418-691-2050
Roxane MarchandPress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable Jean-Pierre
BlackburnCanada Economic Development819-953-5646613-816-5094
Nadja RaphaëlCommunications AdvisorCanada Economic
Development514-283-2634
