Shawinigan, Quebec, May 31, 2010 – The population of Shawinigan will soon have access to improved recreational facilities in Saint-Maurice Park, today jointly announced the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, and Julie Boulet, Quebec Minister of Transport, Minister responsible for the Mauricie region and Member of the National Assembly for Laviolette, acting on behalf of Laurent Lessard, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy.
The governments of Quebec and Canada will each contribute $268,429 toward the project, for a total of $536,858 in combined financial assistance, while the City of Shawinigan will assume the remaining third, or $268,429, of the costs, bringing the project’s total eligible investment to $805,287.
The initiative involves rehabilitating Saint-Maurice Park by refurbishing the play structures, paving pedestrian walkways, repairing the railing bordering the river, installing street furniture and carrying out landscaping work. The city is also looking to replace the park’s sewer pipes and upgrade its existing buildings.
“This financial support from the Government of Canada illustrates our commitment to equipping municipalities with infrastructure that meets the principles of sustainable development. Quality infrastructure is a key element of any modern, wealth-building economy,” explained Minister of State Lebel.
“Citizens of all ages will be able to enjoy these new facilities. I am delighted that our governments are joining forces with the City of Shawinigan to upgrade recreational infrastructure in a way that promises to meet the needs of residents in a sustainable development perspective. These facilities will be getting a real makeover! In supporting this project, we are encouraging citizens to take full advantage of their city’s outdoor infrastructure and to adopt and maintain an active and healthy lifestyle,” added Minister Boulet.
The governments of Canada and Quebec signed an agreement to accelerate the execution of recreational infrastructure projects in Quebec by March 31, 2011. To that end, the Government of Canada will invest $76 million and the Government of Quebec at least that amount in recreational infrastructure projects carried out in cost-sharing partnership with municipal administrations or local organizations. These investments are thus expected to generate greater financial leverage, as is the case with the other infrastructure programs.
The funding announced today has been awarded through the Government of Canada’s Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program and the Government of Quebec’s Programme Infrastructures de loisirs.
The Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program, part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan adopted by the federal government in January 2009, is intended to stimulate immediate economic recovery and reduce the short-term impacts of the global recession. Government investment in this area will help create new jobs and improve the population’s health and quality of life. For more on this plan, see www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For further details on the state of advancement of the Quebec Infrastructure Plan, visit www.infrastructures.gouv.qc.ca.
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Sources:
Ève Cardinal
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-997-3319
Amina Chaffaï
Policy Advisor
Office of the Minister of Transport, Minister responsible for the Mauricie Region and MNA for Laviolette
Tel.: 819-538-3349
