Together, the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway and the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism) and MP for Fundy-Royal, today announced more than $1-million to assist in the construction of a multi-purpose centre for Portage Atlantic. The Centre located on Cassidy Lake near Norton, will benefit youth at risk from across Atlantic Canada.
“The Government of Canada, through the Economic Action Plan, is investing in projects that enhance the economic development capacity of communities to help them use existing strengths and opportunities,” said Minister Ashfield. “Our investment of more than $1-million through the Community Adjustment Fund will allow Portage Atlantic to establish a multi-purpose centre providing facilities to deliver essential community services to youth at risk from across the region.”
Portage Atlantic is a non-profit organization that has been in operation since 1996 in New Brunswick, providing a bilingual, long-term residential substance abuse program for youth between the ages of 14 and 21 years of age. The organization will develop a 10,800 sq. ft. multi-purpose centre which will include the construction of classrooms, counsellor rooms, conference rooms and training rooms. The Centre will provide Portage Atlantic with a modern facility in which to deliver its core programs to youth at risk allowing them the opportunity to receive important skills training necessary to resume their lives and contribute to their communities.
“This is a great day for the youth of Atlantic Canada who are in need of Portage services,” said Dr. Russell King, Chairman of Portage Atlantic. “This over $1-million dollar contribution by the Government of Canada through its Economic Action Plan will provide safe and secure accommodation for our youth to receive treatment for their addiction. In addition, this contribution will provide a modern, multi-purpose facility for the staff to educate youth who have made the courageous choice to turn their lives around.”
Funding for this project was provided through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) under the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF). Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $1 billion over two years for the CAF, which will help create jobs and maintain employment in communities affected by the economic downturn.
For information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Youth at risk from across Atlantic Canada will soon benefit from the development of a multi-purpose centre, as a result of Government of Canada’s commitment of over $1 million to Portage Atlantic.
Minister of National Revenue, Minister of ACOA and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, Keith Ashfield along with Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism) and Fundy- Royal MP Rob Moore today announced the investment under the Government of Canada’s Community Adjustment Fund.
The multi-purpose centre will include space for classrooms, counsellor rooms, conference rooms and training rooms. Portage Atlantic provides youth at risk with skills training to help them resume their lives and contribute to their communities.
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Information:
Erin Filliter
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of ACOA
613-941-7241
Ann Kenney
Senior Communications Officer
ACOA NB
506-452-3687
Dr. Russell King
Chairman Portage Atlantic
506-458-0231
