Val-d'Or, Quebec, May 28, 2008 – Acting on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, the Honourable Christian Paradis, Secretary of State for Agriculture, took part today in a ceremony marking the beginning of construction of the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT) First Nations Pavilion. The new pavilion will be erected at the Centre d'études supérieures Lucien-Cliche in Val-d'Or, which already houses UQAT and Cégep de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue.
Construction is expected to cost a little over $8 million, a project in which Canada Economic Development has invested $3.8 million in non-repayable funding.
"During the First Nations Socioeconomic Forum, held in October 2006 in the community of Mashteuiatsh, Lac-Saint-Jean, the Government of Canada announced exceptional financial contribution for the construction of the Pavilion, a one-of-a-kind project which will offer an environment in which Aboriginal students can succeed in their studies and receive training that respects their values and their culture. The Pavilion is also, in itself, a long-term economic development project. It can only help increase the representation of First Nations in the workforce of Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Northern Quebec and Quebec as a whole", explained Mr. Paradis.
Funding for this project comes from the Community Economic Facilities measure, which was extended in April 2008 within the framework of Canada Economic Development's 2008-2011 Strategic Plan entitled Tuned in to the regions - Tuned in to business.
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Sources:
François Bélisle
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-825-5260, ext. 235
E-mail: francois.belisle@dec-ced.gc.ca
Sylvain Frenette
Office of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-496-1282
E-mail: sylvain.frenette@dec-ced.gc.ca
