Québec, Quebec, July 13, 2009 − The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, today joined David Whissel, Ministre du Travail du Québec and Ministre responsable de la region des Laurentides et de la région de Lanaudière, on behalf of Mme Nathalie Normandeau, Deputy Premier of Quebec, Ministre des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune and Ministre responsable du Plan Nord, in announcing investments of $800,000 for 2009-2010, for the repair and restoration of bridges and culverts on forest multi-use roads on Laurentides public lands.
“Indeed, it was crucial to breathe new life into these infrastructures which, once restored, will provide ready access to regional resort facilities and promote outdoor activities. Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our government is taking unprecedented measures to come to the assistance of communities affected by the current crisis, notably by implementing the Community Adjustment Fund,” stated Minister Lebel.
“These investments confirm our government’s commitment to supporting communities by helping create and maintain jobs for forestry workers. It is a strong signal in the midst of the difficult situation facing the forestry sector. These investments will help further economic growth in our region by improving the safety of our multi-use roads and access to areas of interest in our territories,” added Minister Whissel.
The governments of Canada and Quebec announced last July 3 they will invest $30 million over two years for the repair and restoration of bridges and culverts on multi-use roads in wildlife territories of Quebec which have been damaged by weathering and severe storms.
These funds, managed in partnership with the regions, will serve to improve access to sectors of interest on public lands in order to support economic development arising from natural resource and land development, while also contributing to the creation and maintenance of some 250 jobs.
This past April, the Government of Canada and Government of Quebec created a special Canada-Quebec Forestry Task Team in response to the pressing needs of forestry workers and forest-dependent communities.
The task team set six initial priorities:
- forest management and silviculture,
- supporting forest workers and communities,
- access to credit,
- technology and innovation,
- value-added manufacturing, and
- market development for wood products.
The Canada-Quebec Forestry Task Team is made up of senior officials from Natural Resources Canada, the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Service Canada, the Business Development Bank of Canada, Export Development Canada and Quebec’s Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, Ministère du Développement économique, de l’Innovation et de l’Exportation and Investissement Québec.
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Sources:
Christian Tanguay
Press Secretary
Office of the Deputy Premier and Ministre des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune and Ministre responsable du Plan Nord
Tel.: 418-643-7295
Media relations
Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune du Québec
Tel.: 418-627-8609
Mélanie Cayer
Political attaché
Constituency Office of the Ministre du Travail, Ministre responsable des régions des Laurentides et de Lanaudière and MNA for Argenteuil
Tel.: 450-562-0785 or 1-800-870-7964
Stéphanie Desforges
Senior Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514 496-1282
E-mail: stephanie.desforges@dec-ced.gc.ca
Media relations
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514 283-8818
