Coaticook, Quebec, June 18, 2012 – New sections of the Coaticook cycling and pedestrian path were inaugurated today in the presence of Monique Gagnon-Tremblay, Quebec Minister of International Relations, Minister responsible for La Francophonie, Minister responsible for the Estrie region and Member of the National Assembly for Saint-François, representing Michelle Courchesne, Deputy Premier of Quebec, Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports, Minister responsible for Government Administration and Chair of the Conseil du trésor. The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, who was unable to attend the ceremony, expressed his delight at the completion of this project.
“The residents of Coaticook will now be able to enjoy a safe bicycle and pedestrian path system that is accessible year-round. This infrastructure is sure to attract many outdoor enthusiasts and promote physical activity,” commented Minister Lebel.
The project involved carrying out the construction of a cycling and walking path connecting Coaticook’s downtown core to five municipal parks and two local high schools. The initiative was made possible by $249,210 in joint government funding contributed in equal part by the governments of Quebec and Canada. The City of Coaticook provided the remainder of the investment needed to complete the project, whose total eligible cost stood at $498,420.
“I am convinced that investing responsibly in the development of accessible, appealing and safe infrastructure, like this bicycle path network in Coaticook, will encourage citizens to get out, get moving, and enjoy a better quality of life. I invite the Estrie population to take full advantage of this new path,” said Minister Gagnon-Tremblay.
The governments of Canada and Quebec signed a cost-sharing agreement to accelerate the execution of recreational infrastructure projects in the province. Under the terms of this agreement, the Government of Canada committed to investing a total of $76 million and the Government of Quebec at least that amount for qualifying projects. The funding for this project was granted through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program and the Programme de soutien aux installations sportives et récréatives of the Government of Quebec’s Fonds pour le développement du sport et de l’activité physique
The Recreational Infrastructure Canada program, part of the economic action plan adopted by the federal government in January 2009, was established to provide immediate economic stimulus and offset the impacts of the global economic downturn. To that end, the government dedicated $500 million over two years to the modernization of sports and recreational facilities across the country. These government investments in recreational infrastructure have contributed to the creation of new jobs and better health and quality of living for Canadians. For more on this plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
The Fonds pour le développement du sport et de l’activité physique was created by the Government of Quebec to ensure all of the province’s regions access to new and improved sports facilities in order to promote healthier lifestyles among their populations. For further details on this initiative, see www.mels.gouv.qc.ca.
- 30 -
