Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, October 10, 2007 - The Secretary of State for
Agriculture and Member of Parliament for Mégantic-l'Érable, the Honorable
Christian Paradis, on behalf of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure
and Communities, the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, and Member of Parliament
for Mégantic-Compton, on behalf of the Deputy Premier and Minister of
Municipal Affairs and Regions of Québec, Nathalie Normandeau, delivered
the initial payment of $100,789 to the Municipality of
Sainte-Cécile-de-Whitton under the federal-provincial agreement on the
transfer of a portion of federal
gasoline excise tax revenues and the Government of Québec's
contribution. The Municipality of Sainte-Cécile-de-Whitton will receive a
total of $314,695 over the next four years for important infrastructure
projects.
"Offering access to quality infrastructure is an important priority for
the Government of Canada," said Mr. Paradis. "This is why we are moving
ahead with our "Building Canada" infrastructure plan. I am pleased that
the Municipality of Sainte-Cécile-de-Whitton can address its
infrastructure needs thanks to the financing offered under the agreement
on gasoline excise tax. Projects such as these demonstrate once again how
open federalism practised by the Government of Canada can contribute to
improving the quality of life for residents in Québec municipalities."
"The repair and modernization of public infrastructure is an important
priority for the Government of Québec. The funding announced today is a
reflection of our commitment to improve the quality of life of residents
of municipalities of Québec," said Mrs. Gonthier.
The goal of the Canada-Québec Agreement is to provide funding for the
renewal of municipal and local infrastructure, and specifically for
municipal drinking water, wastewater, local road system and public transit
infrastructure, within a context of sustainable development. Canada's new
Government will pay the Government of Québec a total of $1.34 billion over
five years, to which Québec will add $475.7 million, for a grand total of
$1.8 billion. Including contributions from municipalities, $2.3 billion
will go toward renewing municipal infrastructure. The funds will be
administered by the Société de financement des infrastructures locales du
Québec (SOFIL).
Contacts:
Karine WhitePress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable Lawrence
CannonMinister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities613
991-0700
Infrastructure Canada613 948-1148
Jonathan TrudeauPress SecretaryOffice of the Deputy Premier
andMinister of Municipal Affairs and Regions418 691-2050
