Gananoque, Ontario, Friday, April 26, 2013 – Representatives gathered in Gananoque today to announce funding for improvements to one of the region's most popular outdoor attractions, the Thousand Islands Recreational Trail.
"Tourism in this region is a driving force for economic growth and job creation, and this initiative will ensure that the Thousand Islands remain a place people want to visit year after year,"
said Gord Brown, Member of Parliament for Leeds-Grenville, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. "The Government of Canada is proud to invest in these improvements that will enhance the visitor experience while preserving this key outdoor attraction and tourist destination."
"The new Ontario government is proud to provide access to safe spaces to our visitors and citizens that allow them to enjoy the natural beauty that is synonymous with Ontario,"
said Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. "Our investment in the Thousand Islands Recreational Trail supports active, healthy living and provides one more great reason to visit eastern Ontario. I encourage cyclists and pedestrians alike to visit the Thousand Islands Recreational Trail this summer to explore and experience the beautiful St. Lawrence River."
"This important project will strongly enhance tourism initiatives in the area and bolster the iconic quality of the 1000 Islands region"
said Darren Dalgleish, General Manager & CEO of the St. Lawrence Parks Commission.
The 37-kilometre Thousand Islands Recreational Trail is a multi-use trail open to cyclists, pedestrians and in-line skaters, and is located along the Thousand Islands Parkway from Gananoque to west of Brockville. Along the path, users can find a number of lookout points, a public beach, historical sites, campgrounds, and lodging. Improvements will include replacing up to one-half of the path to ensure visitor safety and support tourism in the region.
Through the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund, Canada and Ontario will provide up to $999,000 in joint funding to make improvements to the Thousand Islands Recreational Trail.
Overall, the Government of Canada is providing a total of $175 million to 44 initiatives to strengthen infrastructure in Ontario through the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund. Ontario is contributing $173 million toward these initiatives, while other partners, including municipalities, will provide another $54 million.
Canada's Economic Action Plan 2013 is delivering a New Building Canada Plan to build roads, bridges, subways, commuter rail, and other public infrastructure in cooperation with provinces, territories, and municipalities. Thanks to the Government of Canada's leadership and our strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Canada has been a leader among G-7 countries throughout the recovery with more than 898,000 net new jobs created since July 2009. The New Building Canada Plan, combined with other federal infrastructure investments, will support Canada's infrastructure advantage, a key enabler of economic growth and job creation.
These investments support Building Together, the Province of Ontario's long-term infrastructure plan to repair, rebuild and renew the province's roads and highways, bridges, public transit, schools and postsecondary institutions, hospitals and courthouses. Since 2003, Ontario has invested approximately $75 billion in infrastructure. Building modern, efficient infrastructure has created or preserved close to 100,000 jobs each year, on average, making Ontario's economy more productive and improving quality of life, now and in the future.
For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure and to stay up-to-date with Web feeds, visit Infrastructure Canada's web site.
For more information on how Ontario is revitalizing its infrastructure, visit the Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure web site.
For information about Outdoor Adventures in the area, including bike tours, visit Scenic Four-to-Six Day Bike Tours.
For more information about tourism in eastern Ontario, visit Parks of the St. Lawrence.
Marie-Josée Paquette
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.
613-991-0700
Patrick Searle
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transportation and
Minister of Infrastructure for Ontario
416-327-1815
Jasmine Gill
Minister's Office
Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport
416-325-1759
jasmine.gill@ontario.ca
Susan Le Clair
Manager, Customer Service & Corporate Communications
St. Lawrence Parks Commission
613-543-3704 ext. 2496
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251 or toll-free 1-877-250-7154
