Canada and Quebec Support Development of the Highway System in the Basse-Côte-Nord Region/East of Nitassinan
News release
Ottawa, Ontario, December 14, 2020—Strategically investing in infrastructure projects that meet the specific needs of northern and Indigenous communities is key to building stronger and more inclusive communities, while promoting job creation and economic growth in the northern region.
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Mr. Jonatan Julien, Quebec’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region, on behalf of Mr. François Bonnardel, Quebec’s Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for the Estrie region, announced today an additional step in the extension of Route 138 in the Basse-Côte-Nord region/East of Nitassinan, namely funding confirmation by the Canadian government for two road sections.
For the announcement, the ministers were also joined by three Innu community chiefs—Mr. Bryan Mark, Chief of Unamen Shipu, Mr. Guy Mestenapeo, Chief of Pakua Shipu, and Mr. Mike McKenzie, chief of Uashat Mak Mani Utenam—and Mr. Randy Jones, Warden of the Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent MRC.
The objective of this project is to reduce the isolation of municipalities in part of the Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent MRC area and Indigenous communities in this most eastern section of Nitassinan as well as to improve the quality of life of residents—Innu and Quebeckers alike.
Route 138, heading eastward, currently ends in Kegaska and resumes further on between Vieux-Fort and Blanc-Sablon. Between Kegaska and Vieux-Fort, residents live in an enclave and their transportation options are limited and expensive. The first road extension announced today, about 50 kilometres long between Kegaska and La Romaine, will link the Unamen Shipu Innu community to the rest of Quebec. A second road extension of about 30 kilometres will be built to link Tête-à-la-Baleine to La Tabatière.
Once completed, these extensions will improve services delivered to the local communities and reduce their isolation. This is an additional stage in completing a highway link to the Labrador border. The project will also have positive economic benefits by creating and maintaining jobs, and generating business for regional companies.
The Government of Canada will contribute nearly $185 million through the New Building Canada Fund – Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects. This funding is conditional upon the fulfilment of its obligations to consult Indigenous peoples. The project’s overall cost and the Quebec government’s investment, including funding under the Northern Action Plan, will be specified at the end of the planning phase provided for in the Government of Quebec’s directive on managing major public infrastructure projects.
Quotes
“As Minister responsible for economic development, I know that our government is increasingly attuned to the needs of regions in Quebec and across the country. I am proud of our investment in Route 138 which will help sustain growth in the Basse-Côte-Nord region by improving the mobility of people and goods. It will also be beneficial to businesses’ prosperity by opening new markets and expanding tourism opportunities in the region. The close connections we’ve established with regional stakeholders enable us to implement major projects like the project we’re announcing today.”
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
“It is with great satisfaction that I welcome the Government of Canada’s financial contribution to the Route 138 extension project. The Government of Quebec gives great importance to this ambitious project that is key to the social and economic development of the Côte-Nord region. This announcement is among 49 measures that our government will implement as part of the Northern Action Plan 2020-2023, which aims, among other things, to facilitate the transportation of people and goods north of the 49th parallel.”
Jonatan Julien, Quebec’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region, on behalf of François Bonnardel, Quebec’s Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for the Estrie region
“The extension of Route 138 is vital to the Unamen Shipu community. For several years now, we have been making great progress in training an Innu workforce who can operate the necessary construction machinery to build new road sections. We warmly welcome the participation of both levels of government in providing funds for the extension project. We look forward to working with Canada and Quebec on the next stage of this project, which consists of identifying the social, economic and environmental opportunities made possible by the extension of Route 138.”
Bryan Mark, Chief of Unamen Shipu
“I am beyond words, it is a dream come true. I have worked many years on this file. We knew that with the assistance of the provincial government alone, it couldn’t be done but today’s announcement from the federal government is a testament of what we can accomplish by working together and I couldn’t be prouder.” Randy Jones, Warden MRC du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent."
Randy Jones, Warden of the MRC du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent
Quick facts
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Through the Investing in Canada Plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
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In Quebec, Infrastructure Canada has invested more than $6.5 billion in 1,145 infrastructure projects.
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The Route 138 extension project includes two more road sections that are currently being examined as part of the Quebec Infrastructure Plan: one section linking La Romaine and Tête-à-la-Baleine, and another section linking La Tabatière and Vieux-Fort.
Associated links
Contacts
Chantalle Aubertin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
Tel: 613-941-0660
Chantalle.Aubertin@canada.ca
Marie-Ève Thérien
Political Advisor, Communications
Office of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region
Tel: 418-572-7292
Media Relations
Infrastructure Canada
Tel: 613‑960-9251
Toll-free no: 1‑877‑250-7154
Email address: infc.media.infc@canada.ca
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Website: Infrastructure Canada
Media Relations
Communications Directorate
Quebec Department of Transport
Quebec City: 418‑644-4444
Toll-free no: 1‑866‑341-5724
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