Hemmingford, Quebec, January 13, 2011 – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, today announced the awarding of $1,535,000 in repayable financial assistance to Parc Safari Inc. for the first phase of the zoo's long-term plan to become a top-notch tourist attraction in Quebec.
"The Government of Canada is proud to lend its support to Parc Safari for a project that promises to increase tourism and bolster economic activity in the Vallée du Haut-Saint-Laurent," commented Minister of State Lebel.
The work in the park's zoo area will involve renovating and outfitting animal retention areas and pavilions, building a new wolf observation tunnel, laying out a walking trail and redeveloping the Safari Aventure circuit. Furthermore, the infrastructure improvements will help increase the park's drawing power. The number of visitors to the site is expected to reach 305,000 a year, beginning this year.
Parc Safari's unique and innovative products have earned the zoo a solid reputation for offering visitors an exceptional hands-on educational experience.
"This project will reinforce the park's preponderant role within the region's tourism industry. Moreover, it will result in the creation of 10 new seasonal jobs and the maintenance of the majority of the existing positions of employment at the park," the Minister of State concluded.
This financial assistance has been granted through the Community Diversification program, an initiative aimed at supporting Quebec's regions in their efforts to maintain and expand their economies by helping them mobilize in order to develop common visions and large-scale local and regional projects. This measure also seeks to sustain communities by promoting entrepreneurship and the creation and maintenance of viable enterprises, as well as to raise the ability of these communities to attract tourists and skilled labour.
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Suzanne Thebarge
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-496-6714
E-mail: suzanne.thebarge@dec-ced.gc.ca
Benoit Fortin
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-997-3319
E-mail: benoit.fortin@dec-ced.gc.ca
