Ville-Marie, Quebec, March 26, 2010 – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, today joined Daniel Bernard, Member of the National Assembly for Rouyn-Noranda–Témiscamingue, acting on behalf of Laurent Lessard, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, in announcing that two cities and a parish in the Témiscamingue Regional County Municipality (RCM), will receive $263,830 in joint government financial assistance under the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund – Quebec for infrastructure projects.
The project the City of Ville-Marie is proposing involves the development of an urban park in the district along Sabourin Street. This park is primarily intended for children under 12. The work will include development of site landscaping and parking and installation of street furniture and various play structures. With this project, the City of Ville-Marie is looking to retain its resident families and attract new ones.
Completion of this project will necessitate an overall eligible investment of $84,367. The governments of Quebec and Canada will each contribute $28,122 toward the work, for a total of $56,244 in combined government funding, while the City of Ville-Marie will assume the remaining third, or $28,123, of the project’s costs.
In 2008, Quebec’s Department of Transport recognized the City of Témiscaming as a relay-village under the Village-Relais program. The City has pledged to meet the program criteria to maintain its accreditation. Developed over 30 years ago, the city’s roadside rest area is clearly showing signs of obsolescence. The project is therefore aimed at redeveloping and upgrading the rest area and ensuring users safe access to modern facilities. The work will include construction of a comfort station and picnic area and improved access for persons with reduced mobility.
Completion of this project will necessitate an overall eligible investment of $62,072. The governments of Quebec and Canada will each contribute $20,691 toward the work, for a total of $41,382 in combined government funding, while the City of Témiscaming will assume the remaining third, or $20,690, of the project’s costs.
Saint-Édouard-de-Fabre Parish had to close its community centre last July because the structure and roofing were considered dangerous. Saint-Édouard-de-Fabre Parish’s project therefore involves a major overhaul of this infrastructure. Reopening of the new community centre will give residents a top-notch family, social, cultural and sports meeting place. This project will directly benefit some 700 people.
Completion of this project will necessitate an overall eligible investment of $249,305. The governments of Quebec and Canada will each contribute $83,102 toward the project, for a total of $166,204, while Saint-Édouard-de-Fabre Parish will assume the remaining third, or $83,101, of the project’s costs.
“The projects that will be carried out in the Témiscamingue RCM will serve the interests of its residents and businesses alike. In supporting these projects, we are ensuring that the population enjoys the high quality of life that has become our country’s trademark. Indeed, the Government of Canada is committed to equipping every community with modern facilities to ensure citizens’ health and safety. The renewal of public infrastructure is part of a broad action plan that will enable us to thrive and prosper in a healthy environment,” stated Minister of State Lebel.
“By participating in this project, the Government of Quebec is moving forward to ensure the province’s municipalities have infrastructure that meets their unique realities while fostering sustainable development. By injecting new capital into the Quebec Infrastructure Plan, our government is looking to accelerate the execution of numerous infrastructure projects throughout the province, like these in the Témiscamingue Regional County Municipality, in an effort to improve Quebecers’ well-being, create jobs and promote a high-performance economy. In this way, we are leaving the municipality a legacy of quality infrastructure with which to face the challenges of the future,” added MNA Daniel Bernard.
In short, completion of these projects will necessitate an overall eligible investment of $395,744. The governments of Quebec and Canada will each contribute $131,915 toward the work, for a total of $263,830 in combined government funding, while the cities of Ville-Marie and Témiscaming as well as Saint-Édouard-de-Fabre Parish will invest $131,914 in the projects.
The Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund – Quebec is a cost-sharing initiative aimed at funding infrastructure projects in communities with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants. These communities are thus able to use this assistance to improve infrastructure that is in major need of revitalization, including water treatment plants, water supply systems and cultural and sports centres.
For provinces, like Quebec, that have committed all of their funding under the Communities Component, the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides for up to $500 million in additional funding for projects that will be completed by March 31, 2011.
In Quebec, a joint federal-provincial contribution of $232 million will be used to fund 106 infrastructure projects.
The contribution from the Government of Canada has been awarded through Canada’s Economic Action Plan. To learn more about this plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For further information on the Government of Quebec’s Quebec Infrastructure Plan, see www.infrastructures.gouv.qc.ca.
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Sources:
Simon Bachand
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 613-996-6236
Tommy Boucher
Political Attaché
Office of the MNA for Rouyn-Noranda – Témiscamingue
Tel.: 819-763-3050
