Grand-Métis, Quebec, July 19, 2010 – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, today announced the granting of $500,000 in non-repayable funding to Les Amis des Jardins de Métis Inc. (Friends of the Reford Gardens) for infrastructure improvements on the site of the original gardens created by Elsie Reford.
Les Amis des Jardins de Métis Inc. is responsible for the preservation and development of the Jardins de Métis / Reford Gardens. The primary objective of the organization is to maintain the gardens and buildings and to preserve their heritage character and great horticultural richness. As owner of the grounds and buildings, it manages the site with a view to preserving its beauty and diversity and developing activities related to the art of gardening. Thanks to the funding granted, Les Amis des Jardins de Métis will proceed with land development on the site, add small service pavilions and upgrade the existing buildings. Necessitating a total investment of $926,000, this initiative will lead to the creation of about 30 jobs over the course of the work, which should be completed by fall 2010.
“Tourism is a key economic development sector in the regions of Quebec, and the Government of Canada supports projects that promote its growth and development. The Reford Gardens are a major tourist attraction, recognized as one of the most outstanding in Canada. The support we are announcing today will help Les Amis des Jardins de Métis implement its project, centred on maintaining the high quality standards for which this magnificent site is famous as well as increasing attendance and, as a result, economic spin-offs. Through this initiative, Les Amis des Jardins de Métis Inc. is contributing to the region’s economic diversification, a top priority for Canada Economic Development,” said the Minister of State.
Les Jardins de Métis /Reford Gardens are one of the Bas-Saint-Laurent’s and Gaspésie’s flagship tourism products. Every year, the gardens play host to some 60,000 visitors come to enjoy a memorable experience highlighting tradition, innovation and conservation.
The funding granted to Les Amis des Jardins de Métis Inc. has been awarded through the Community Adjustment Fund, provided for under Canada’s Economic Action Plan, which aims to bring about the rapid recovery of the Canadian economy and lay the foundations for solid long-term economic growth and job creation.
For more on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, see www.actionplan.gc.ca.
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Sources:
Claudie Lamontagne
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 418-722-3280 or 1-800-463-9073
E-mail: claudie.lamontagne@dec-ced.gc.ca
Ève Cardinal
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-997-3319
E-mail: eve.cardinal@dec-ced.gc.ca
