L'Anse-Saint-Jean, Quebec, August 7, 2009 – Participating today in the official inauguration of the lookout tower atop Mont Édouard, the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, recalled that the Government of Canada awarded $350,000 in non-payable funding to the Société de développement de l'Anse-Saint-Jean Inc. to help develop this tourist attraction. Completion of this project required the acquisition of complementary equipment and the construction of reception facilities on the mountain. This work, which generated an overall investment of $1,135,000, will result in the creation of nine jobs.
The Minister underscored the dynamism of the Société de développement de l'Anse-Saint-Jean , which spared no effort to give the community another asset to further develop the ecotourism potential of the Saguenay fjord region. "The community equipment being unveiled today will further showcase the Mont-Édouard ski centre and the diverse activities taking place there will create economic diversification opportunities that will benefit neighbouring communities. In Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada created the $1 billion Community Adjustment Fund to help mitigate the short-term impacts of restructuring and breathe new vigour into our communities to help them reach new levels of growth," he stated.
The approximately 20-metre high tower, which offers a breathtaking view of the Saguenay fjord and Anse-Saint-Jean mountains, among others, will consolidate the Mont-Édouard centre's role as a regional economic driver, adding to the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean drawing power and arousing travellers' curiosity and encouraging them to strike out and discover the region. It is expected that these site improvements will in the next few years attract more than 30,000 visitors, nearly 25% of them from outside Quebec.
The lookout and facilities built at the top of the mountain will significantly enhance the fjord region's tourism offering, paving the way for the development of new packages and products and generating attractive spinoffs for local communities.
For more on Canada's Economic Action Plan, see www.actionplan.gc.ca .
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Sources:
Nadia Marceau
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 418-668-4602 or 1-800-463-9808
Cell.: 418-321-0295
E-mail: nadia.marceau@dec-ced.gc.ca
Simon Bachand
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 613-996-6236
E-mail: simon.bachand@dec-ced.gc.ca
