New Richmond, Quebec, March 26, 2010 – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, today joined Nathalie Normandeau, Deputy Premier of Quebec, Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife and Minister responsible for the Northern Plan, in announcing that an additional $150,000 will be invested to promote access to forest multi-use roads on Gaspésie public lands.
This latest funding comes on top of the $900,000 awarded to the region under the Canada-Quebec Agreement for the restoration of watercourse crossings on forest multi-use roads. Over the past seven months, 13 damaged or weathered bridges and culverts have been restored or replaced. This additional investment will enable work to begin on five bridges and one culvert in need of repair or replacement.
This program, managed in partnership with the Conférence régionale des élus de la Gaspésie et des Îles-de-la-Madeleine, is designed to improve access to areas 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 jobs.
“The forest sector is important to our economy, and that is why our government decided to take prompt and effective action by creating the Community Adjustment Fund, a measure provided for under Canada’s Economic Action Plan. We have signed seven different agreements with the Government of Quebec for the execution of forestry work in the province. In light of the success registered by the measures implemented last July, we could do nothing but agree to Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine’s request to repair and restore additional bridges and culverts to provide road users with ready access to regional resort facilities this year,” stated Minister of State Lebel.
“These investments confirm our government’s commitment to promoting the maintenance and creation of jobs for forestry workers. Today’s announcement ensures access to Gaspésie’s public forest areas by the many users who travel these roads. I am delighted by it because by improving the safety of our multi-use roads and access to areas of interest in our territories, these investments will contribute to the economic growth of our region,” concluded Minister Normandeau.
- 30 -
Sources:
Christian Tanguay
Press Secretary
Office of the Deputy Premier, Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife and Minister responsible for the Northern Plan
Tel.: 418-643-7295
Simon Bachand
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 613-996-6236
