Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund
Kingsey Falls, Quebec, June 28, 2011 – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, and Yvon Vallières, Member of the Quebec National Assembly for Richmond, acting on behalf of Laurent Lessard, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, take the opportunity of the official opening of the new facilities at Parc Marie-Victorin, in the municipality of Kingsey Falls, to recall the government contribution of $3,229,812 toward this project under the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF).
“Modernization of these facilities will enable Parc Marie-Victorin, a real tourism gem, to pursue its environmentally sustainable work practices so that these magnificent gardens can continue to delight visitors from near and far, while supporting economic development and job creation in the region,” explained Minister Lebel.
“Our government is proud to have contributed to the development of Parc Marie-Victorin, the largest ecological garden in Quebec. This splendid pleasure garden is part of our collective heritage and brings pride to the people of Kingsey Falls and Quebec. By harmonizing the tourism and education aspects to those of sustainable development, the project designers and proponents have shown vision, imagination and determination. Parc Marie-Victorin has now become more of an attraction of tourism, scientific and horticultural nature and its reputation extends far beyond the Centre-du-Québec region,” stated MNA Vallières.
Based on the values of Brother Marie‑Victorin, namely, discover, learning, adventure and the environment, the development project was five-fold:
- theme gardens (Brother Marie-Victorin’s Fantasy Island, Quebec prairie and wetlands);
- the events and exhibits greenhouse (3,000 sq. ft.) inspired by Brother Marie-Victorin’s encyclopedia La flore laurentienne;
- the reception and the administrative pavilions;
- the children’s play area;
- the overall park site (footbridge, parking lot, landscaping, etc.).
Parc Marie-Victorin, with an area of 30.6 acres, has been in existence for more than 20 years and welcomes almost 30,000 visitors a year. It has become well known over the years for its wide variety of activities and services supported by diversified infrastructure.
Completion of this work required a total eligible investment of $4,844,719 under component 3 of the MRIF. The governments of Quebec and Canada each contributed $1,614,906 toward the work, for a total of $3,229,812 in combined government funding, while private partners and public agencies invested the remainder, or $1,614,907, of the project’s costs.
The Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, a cost-sharing initiative of the Government of Quebec and Government of Canada, has made $470 million in funding available to Quebec municipalities and non-governmental organizations. With the financial participation of these municipalities and organizations, this initiative has resulted in the execution of more than $700 million in infrastructure work. The objectives of the MRIF were to improve community infrastructure, the quality of the environment and citizens’ quality of life, and to promote long-term economic growth.
The MRIF is under the responsibility of the Quebec Department of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, with Canada Economic Development delivering the federal portion of the program on behalf of the Government of Canada.
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Sources:
Caroline St-Pierre
Communications Branch
Quebec Department of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy
Tel.: 418-691-2015
Information:
Julie Boivin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy
Tel.: 418-691-2050
Benoît Fortin
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-997-3319
Rémi-Mario Mayette
Political Attaché
Office of the MNA Yvon Vallières
Tel.: 819-839-3326
