La Malbaie, Quebec, December 22, 2010 – Construction is moving ahead smoothly on the Musée de Charlevoix and the new Laure-Conan Library, both located in La Malbaie. The Musée de Charlevoix can expect contributions of $481,000 from the government of Quebec and a maximum of $260,000 from the Government of Canada. The City will also receive $1,161,250 from the provincial government and a maximum of $1,166,000 from the federal government for the Laure-Conan Library project.
The announcement was made today during a visit to the Musée by Daniel Petit, Member of Parliament for Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and representative of the federal government and Gilles Lehouillier, Member of the National Assembly for Lévis, on behalf of Christine St-Pierre, Minister of Culture, Communications and the Status of Women.
“I’m delighted to see the progress of construction on these two projects that are important for the region,” declared MP Daniel Petit. “The Government of Canada is proud to support projects that stimulate the economy and that will provide the residents of the Charlevoix Region with quality cultural infrastructure for years to come.”
“With the renovation of the Musée de Charlevoix, recognized as one of the most important in Quebec for its folk art collections, and the construction of a functional library with new larger areas and modern equipment, the public will benefit from greater services and more diversified cultural activities. I congratulate the City of La Malbaie, which, through these projects, has taken an active role in improving the quality of life of its residents,” stated MNA Gilles Lehouillier.
The Government of Canada contributions for these projects come from the $4-billion nationwide Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which is part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan announced in the January 2009 budget. On December 2, 2010, the Government of Canada announced it is extending the construction deadline for a number of Economic Action Plan infrastructure projects. This extension will allow projects to be completed with federal funding. Proponents of projects under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, the Building Canada Fund Communities Component Top-Up, the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program and the Knowledge Infrastructure Program could have until October 31, 2011, to complete their projects if they are eligible for the extension.
The contribution from the Quebec Department of Culture, Communications and the Status of Women to these projects comes from the Plan québécois des infrastructures, announced in autumn 2007 by the government of Quebec. It should be noted that the cultural component of the Plan will total $1.2 billion in investments. With the contributions of partners, it should generate global investments estimated at more than $2-billion. These new funds will allow the Department to accommodate a larger number of projects under its current programs and contribute more specifically, as in the investment announced today, to raising the profiles of cities and regions throughout Quebec.
Further information:
For further information on investments in infrastructure, visit the Websites www.creatingjobs.gc.ca and www.infrastructures.gouv.qc.ca.
For additional information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit the Web site www.actionplan.gc.ca.
Contacts:
Frédérik Boisvert
Director, Policy and Communications, Quebec Region
Office of Canada’s Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148
1-877-250-7154 (toll-free)
Valérie Rodrigue
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Culture, Communications and the Status of Women
418-380-2310
Backgrounder
Construction Moves Forward on the Musée de Charlevoix and the Laure-Conan Library of La Malbaie
Renovation of the Musée de Charlevoix
Since 1990, the Musée de Charlevoix has been housed in a building of remarkable architecture. The work will ensure the security and longevity of the building and the museum’s collections. The aim of the project is to repair the outer wall of the building to ensure waterproofing and optimize the mechanical systems to maintain an environment conducive to conserving the collections. The Musée de Charlevoix renovation project, estimated at approximately $780,000, will receive $481,000 from the government of Quebec and a maximum contribution of $260,000 from the Government of Canada. The museum will contribute an additional $39,000.
Construction of the Laure-Conan library
The current La Malbaie library, set up in the community centre, no longer meets the recommended standards for the public it serves. The new building, which will also house the town hall offices, will be located downtown and will provide a spectacular view of the St. Lawrence River. The 1000-m2 library will include youth and adult sections, an all purpose room and study room, as well as all the related services necessary to its smooth operation. The project, estimated at nearly $3.5 million, will receive $1,161,250 from the government of Quebec and a maximum of $1,166,000 from the Government of Canada. The City of La Malbaie will make a financial contribution of more than $1.1 million.
