Funding to improve facilities for Canadian Armed Forces personnel in Canada is possible through the new Federal Infrastructure Investments Program
July 15, 2015
RIVIÈRE-DU-LOUP, QUEBEC – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the region of Quebec, on behalf of the Honourable Julian Fantino, Associate Minister of National Defence, today announced an investment of $1.93 million for renovations and repairs at three Lower Saint-Lawrence reserve units in support of the Canadian Armed Forces. These units are located in Rivière-du-Loup, Rimouski and Matane. The two-year infrastructure project, which begins this summer, will also help support the regional economy and boost job creation.
The Rivière-du-Loup Armoury will benefit from repairs to its shooting range. The HMCS d’Iberville Naval Reserve Division in Rimouski will have its parking lot resurfaced, while the Matane Armoury will see repairs to its evacuation route. Other general maintenance and repairs will also take place at the three locations to ensure the Reservists who work there benefit from updated facilities to meet their training and administrative requirements.. The breakdown of this infrastructure investment is: $695,000 for the Rivière-du-Loup armoury; $728,000 for the Rimouski building; and $510,000 for the Matane facility.
The two armouries are home to two companies of Les Fusiliers du St-Laurent Regiment, one of the oldest infantry regiments in Canada. Most of its 200 Reserve force members train on a part-time basis. Since its founding in 1869, the regiment has participated in the Great War and Second World War, as well as numerous peacekeeping operations. It also provides assistance to civil authorities in times of crisis or need, such as the ice storm that ravaged parts of Quebec in 1998.
The regiment is one of 12 units of 35 Canadian Brigade Group stationed throughout eastern Quebec. The Brigade is an Army Reserve Formation of some 2,200 members, which is part of 2nd Canadian Division, Canada’s Army in Quebec.
HMCS d’Iberville is one of six naval reserve divisions in Quebec. The national Naval Reserve Headquarters is located in Quebec City, and coordinates the activities of the 24 divisions across Canada.
The reserve units are also home to units of the Cadet Program, one of the largest federally sponsored youth programs in Canada.
Ashlee Smith
Director of Communications to the Associate Minister of National Defence
Department of National Defence
(613) 996-3100
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: (613) 996-2353
Toll-Free: 1 866 377-0811
