Sherbrooke, Quebec, January 28, 2011 – On the occasion of the official inauguration of the Centre de foires de Sherbrooke, the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, today joined Monique Gagnon-Tremblay, Member of the National Assembly for Saint-François, Quebec Minister of International Relations, and Minister responsible for La Francophonie and the Estrie region, acting on behalf of Laurent Lessard, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in underscoring the $11,678,174 in joint financial assistance granted to the City of Sherbrooke by the governments of Canada and Quebec through the Large Urban Centres Component of the Building Canada Fund – Quebec for the construction of this new facility.
"More than just a meeting place, the Centre de foires de Sherbrooke is an extraordinary engine of development that will contribute to the region's socioeconomic vitality. By investing in this project, the Government of Canada has also invested in the future of the Estrie region," explained Minister of State Lebel.
"Ensuring that all of Quebec is equipped with modern infrastructure is a priority for our government. The inauguation of the Centre de foires de Sherbrooke, which promises to be a powerful lever for the Estrie economy, is excellent news indeed. I am delighted that my region is the beneficiary, particularly in that this infrastructure is sure to rapidly become a major nerve centre as the venue for countless large-scale events. I knew, in making the commitment to bring about this Centre de foires, that Estrie as a whole would reap the rewards. Above all, I would like to take this opportunity to applaud all of the stakeholders whose efforts brought about the speedy completion of this important project," added Minister Gagnon-Tremblay.
The Centre de foires de Sherbrooke project involved the construction of an approximately 7,245 square-metre building on two levels. The ground floor features exhibition halls as well as a ticket office, first aid room, snack bar, room for temporary exhibits and storage and office space. The second level includes offices, two conference rooms, a VIP room and a lounge. Other work involved the installation of water and sewer facilities, the construction of a loading dock and two outdoor exhibition areas and the completion of landscaping work on the site.
The new centre is located in the Plateau Saint-Joseph sector, which is part of the regional economic hub created, most notably, by the presence of the Carrefour de l'Estrie and regional industrial park. Its proximity to main access roads and commercial areas will promote development of the centre and of nearby businesses. The City of Sherbrooke estimates that the new facility will generate more than $12,000,000 in economic spinoffs for Sherbrooke and the entire Estrie region. The addition of this growth-generating infrastructure confirms the City of Sherbrooke's role as a strategic hub in the region.
The governments of Canada and Quebec each contributed $5,839,087 toward the project, for a total of $11,678,174 in joint government funding, while the City of Sherbrooke assumed $5,839,086 of the costs, for a three-way investment totalling $17,517,260.
This funding from both governments is part of their shared commitment to provide economic stimulus, equip municipalities with quality infrastructure and create jobs despite the economic downturn.
The Large Urban Centres Component of the Building Canada Fund – Quebec is a cost-sharing initiative to finance infrastructure projects in Quebec municipalities of 100,000 inhabitants or more. These cities can use this financial assistance to revitalize such public infrastructure as water treatment plants, water supply systems and cultural and sports centres.
For further details on the Building Canada Fund – Quebec or the process for submitting a funding applications, see www.buildingcanada.gc.ca and www.mamrot.gouv.qc.ca.
For more information on the Quebec Infrastructure Plan, visit infrastructures.gouv.qc.ca/nouvelles/index.
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Sources:
Benoît Fortin
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-997-3319
Andrée-Anne Bégin
Political Attaché
Riding office of the Minister responsible for the Estrie region
Tel.: 819-565-3667
Sylvain Bourassa
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupany and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Tel.: 418-691-2050
Caroline St-Pierre
Communications Branch
Department of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy
Tel.: 418-691-2015
