Magog, Quebec, September 27, 2010 – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, today joined Pierre Reid, Member of the Quebec National Assembly for Orford, acting on behalf of Laurent Lessard, Quebec Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in underscoring the $2,344,312 in joint government financial assistance granted to Les Amis du marais de la Rivière aux Cerises under the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund – Quebec for the Marais de la Rivière aux Cerises observation and education centre, the construction of which officially got underway today.
Located in the heart of the City of Magog, the Marais de la Rivière aux Cerises currently includes six kilometres of trails, an observation tower, a covered terrace and elevated walkways to allow visitors to discover the rich diversity of marsh's ecosystems. The second phase of the project spearheaded by Les Amis du marais de la Rivière aux Cerises will involve construction of an observation, education and interpretation centre on the site to accommodate school groups, tourists and recreational tours. Establishing this centre will enable the organization to pursue its mission to preserve the marsh, its history and its ecosystems.
In the view of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, "construction of the Marais de la Rivière aux Cerises observation and education centre will enhance the quality of life of Magog's residents and of its visitors, and do so in a context of sustainable development."
"In supporting 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 this one in Magog, in an effort to improve the well-being of Quebecers, 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 Pierre Reid.
Completion of this project will necessitate an overall eligible investment of $3,516,467, toward which the governments of Quebec and Canada are each contributing $1,172,156, for a total of $2,344,312 in combined government funding, with Les Amis du marais de la Rivière aux Cerises investing the remaining third, or $1,172,155, of the project's costs.
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 such 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.
- 30 -
Sources:
Benoît Fortin
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-997-3319
Nicole Ronaldi
Political Attaché
Office of the MNA for Orford
Tel.: 819-847-3911
