L’Aquila, Italy, October 16, 2010 – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, travelled to L’Aquila, Italy, on behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, to inaugurate a university youth centre in the Abruzzo region that received funding from the Government of Canada.
The youth centre investment was originally announced by Prime Minister Harper at the July 2009 G-8 Summit held in L’Aquila, following a devastating magnitude 6.3 earthquake, which claimed the lives of 297 people, and left an additional 65,000 people homeless. At the summit, the Prime Minister pledged to contribute $5 million for the design and construction of a multi-purpose student centre at the University of L’Aquila.
“This centre will serve as a testament to the close friendship between Canada and Italy,” said Minister Lebel. “The project is also the fruit of excellent cooperation between our two governments, as well as a concrete demonstration of our commitment to youth, higher education and future opportunities”.
The $5-million contribution by the Government of Canada is only a part of other important financial contributions and moral support offered by the people of Canada, including significant charitable donations to the region.
For further information, consult the backgrounder associated with this news release:
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Source – Media in Canada
Simon Bachand
Special Assistant
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
E-mail: simon.bachand@dec-ced.gc.ca
Tel.: 514-496-1282
Sources – Media in Italy
Simonetta d 'Aquino Allder
Media Officer
Embassy of Canada in Italy
E-mail: simonetta.allder@international.gc.ca
Tel.: 39 06 85444 3252
