Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, June 28, 2010 – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, and Nicole Ménard, Minister of Tourism, Minister responsible for the Montérégie Region and Member of the National Assembly for Laporte, on behalf of Laurent Lessard, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, are pleased today to mark the start of work on redevelopment of the Ozias-Leduc Multi-Sport Park. Minister Ménard, who turned the first sod, accompanied by Michel Gilbert, the Mayor of the Town of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, took the opportunity to remind those present that joint financial assistance of $1,496,586 was provided under the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund – Quebec to carry out the work.
“Redevelopment of the Ozias-Leduc Multi-Sport Park will benefit the residents of Mont-Saint-Hilaire. In providing financial support for this project, we are making sure that these residents can enjoy the quality of life for which our country is famous. The Government of Canada has made it its goal to ensure that every community is equipped with modern infrastructure that is essential to the health and safety of our citizens. Public infrastructure renewal is part of a far-reaching action plan that will allow us to prosper in a healthy environment,” said Minister of State Lebel.
“In funding this project, the Government of Quebec is moving forward to ensure that the province’s municipalities have infrastructure tailored to our situation while fostering sustainable development. By injecting new capital into the Quebec Infrastructure Plan, our government is striving to accelerate the completion of numerous infrastructure projects throughout the province, including the project in Mont-Saint-Hilaire, in an effort to improve the well-being of Quebecers, create jobs and support a productive economy. Our government wants to provide the municipality with a legacy of high-quality facilities, which are indispensable tools for meeting the challenges of the future," added Minister Ménard.
It will be recalled that Mont-Saint-Hilaire’s project involves replacing a natural surface soccer field with a versatile synthetic-surface playing field and upgrading the various existing sports venues. At present, the very high local and regional demand for playing fields is resulting in the degradation of the facilities. With this project, the Town plans to increase its contribution to the regional supply of sports facilities and improve existing surfaces.
Completion of this project will necessitate an overall eligible investment of $2,244,877. The governments of Quebec and Canada will each contribute $748,293, for a total of $1,496,586 in combined government funding, while the Town of Mont-Saint-Hilaire will provide $748,291.
Completion of this project will necessitate an overall eligible investment of $2,244,877. The governments of Quebec and Canada will each contribute $748,293, for a total of $1,496,586 in combined government funding, while the Town of Mont St Hilaire will provide $748,291.
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.
An unprecedented funding commitment on the part of the Government of Canada, the Building Canada Fund-Quebec provides stable and predictable funding to support infrastructure projects. In Quebec, nearly $4 billion will be allocated to that end.
The Government of Canada's contribution announced today has been awarded through Canada's Economic Action Plan. To learn more about this plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For more information on the Quebec government’s Plan québécois des infrastructures, visit www.infrastructures.gouv.qc.ca.
For further details on the Building Canada Fund - Quebec or the process for submitting a funding application, see www.buildingcanada.gc.ca and www.mamrot.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
André Poirier
Policy Advisor
Office of the Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Montérégie Region
Tel.: 418-672-1885
