Val-d’Or, Quebec, June 1, 2012 – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, took the opportunity of today’s official opening of the De l’or plein les veines exhibition to note that the Government of Canada granted $1.1 million in funding to Val-d’Or’s Cité de l’Or historic site.
“In investing in tourism development in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, the Government of Canada is demonstrating its firm commitment to the economy and employment in the region,” said Minister Lebel.
The Cité de l’Or project includes upgrading the reception building to make it accessible year round, adding the De l’or plein les veines permanent exhibition and enhancing the outdoor areas. The underground tour route will also undergo improvements to enable tourists to get a feel for the work done by the miners of yesteryear, through simulations.
The work at the Cité de l’Or historic site is currently being carried out by the Corporation du Village minier de Bourlamaque, whose mission is to protect, present and promote the Cité de l’Or historic, heritage and tourist sites.
The non-repayable funding announced in February 2011 by Prime Minister Stephen Harper was provided through Canada Economic Development’s Community Diversification program.
