Saguenay, Quebec, May 20, 2010 – On the occasion of yesterday's official inauguration of Saguenay's William-Price Park, Serge Simard, Quebec Minister for Natural Resources and Wildlife, Minister responsible for the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region and Member of the Quebec National Assembly for Dubuc, joined the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture), acting on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, in announcing that the City of Saguenay received $1,667,534 in joint government financial assistance through the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) for improvements to the municipal park.
Various renovations and upgrades were made to William-Price Park, including restoration of the tomb of its founder, Sir William Price, and commemorative plaque as well as repairs to the main entranceway, stone wall and fences circling the park. The project also involved the construction of five lookout points, a hospitality pavilion, gift shop, refreshment booth and rest area, the installation of interpretation signs, street furniture and a lighting system and the laying of walking and cycling trails and a footbridge to the main entrance gate. The local and regional population as well as tourists to the area are now able to enjoy this improved site.
“I join with you in celebrating the upgrade of Saguenay's William-Price Park, a project that is sure to have a positive impact on local quality of life while strengthening residents' attachment to their community and increasing the municipality's power of attraction. This new and improved infrastructure, with its wooded area and view on Rivière aux Sables, the Saguenay River and the Bésy and Caron falls, will benefit citizens and visitors alike. This work will help revitalize this historical site and preserve and promote Jonquière's built heritage,” stated Minister Simard.
“This announcement is something that the people of Jonquière can be proud of. Infrastructure projects like this one contribute to the growth and sustainable development of our communities. This is an historical site that evokes our forest heritage and adds to the region's tourism offering. The Government of Canada is sparing no effort to tangibly improve the population's quality of life and ensure a promising future for our communities,” added Minister Blackburn.
Completion of this project necessitated an overall eligible investment of $2,501,300 under component 3 of the MRIF . The governments of Quebec and Canada each contributed $833,767 toward the work, for a total of $1,667,534 in combined government funding, while the City of Saguenay invested the remaining $833,766.
Saguenay Mayor Jean Tremblay said is pleased to see this project completed in that it will help enhance the well-being of local citizens and further the economic and tourism development of the municipality and the region.
The Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund is a cost-sharing initiative of the Government of Quebec and Government of Canada that makes $470 million in funding available to Quebec municipalities and non-governmental organizations. With the financial participation of these municipalities and organizations, this initiative could result in the execution of more than $700 million in infrastructure work. The objectives of the MRIF are to improve community infrastructure, the quality of the environment and citizens' quality of life, and to promote long-term economic growth.
The program, which has been in force since September 2005, is administered by the Quebec Department of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy. Canada Economic Development is responsible for delivering the federal portion of the MRIF on behalf of the Government of Canada.
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Source:
Johanne Levesque
Communications Advisor
Communications Branch
Department of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy
Tel.: 514-873-6910
Information:
Danny Desbiens
Communications Advisor
Riding Office of the MNA for Dubuc, Minister for Natural Resources and Wildlife and Minister responsible for the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region
Tel.: 418-544-8106
Ève Cardinal
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-997-3319
Éléonore Côté
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 418-668-5928
