Today, Élisabeth Brière, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Isabelle Charest, Minister for Education and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, announced funding of nearly $11 million for eight projects in the Centre-du-Québec Region. They were joined by André Lamontagne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Minister Responsible for the Centre-du-Québec and Chaudière-Appalaches Regions and MNA for Johnson; Sébastien Schneeberger, Deputy Government House Leader and MNA for Drummond–Bois-Francs; Daniel Pelletier, City of Drummondville Councillor for District 11; and Denise Picotin, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Centre communautaire de loisirs Claude-Nault. With this funding, the region's residents will have access to modern and safe facilities that will promote an active, healthy and inclusive lifestyle.

“The pandemic situation we have been in for more than a year now has made us more aware of the importance of having infrastructure to keep us healthy and build resilience. I am very proud to announce federal funding of more than $5.4 million for eight infrastructure projects that will allow Centre-du-Québec residents to safely engage in physical activities. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities. I hope this infrastructure will allow everyone to (re)discover the joy of exercising and reap all its benefits!”

Élisabeth Brière, Member of Parliament for Sherbrooke and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“More than ever, we are reminded of the importance of staying active. That’s why we’re implementing new ways to enable Quebecers to become more active. Access to modern, high-quality recreational and sports infrastructure is a strong incentive to encourage regular physical activity. These projects will have concrete impacts on the quality of life of families and the vitality of our communities. I hope that, thanks to the investments we are announcing today, all members of the public will have the opportunity to experience the benefits of being active.”

Isabelle Charest, Minister of Education and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women

“Our government is committed to supporting the quality of life of its population through recreational and sports activities across Quebec. I am therefore delighted with the nearly $11 million in investments for eight projects in the Centre-du-Québec Region. These investments fulfil a very real need and will allow the entire community to get active and benefit from modern and safe infrastructure. For example, the new pavilion of the Centre communautaire de loisirs Claude-Nault in Saint‑Nicéphore will certainly contribute to the vitality of this rapidly growing area.”

André Lamontagne, Quebec Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Minister Responsible for the Centre-du-Québec Region, and MNA for Johnson

“Our government is committed to recreational activities that promote fun and physical activity for all our citizens. This new pavilion will allow members of the public to engage in their hobbies and passions in a suitably adapted and modern environment. I am confident that Denise Picotin, Chair of the Centre communautaire Claude-Nault, and her team will orchestrate the success of this project.” 

Sébastien Schneeberger, Deputy Government House Leader and MNA for Drummond–Bois-Francs

“Our community is looking forward to the new pavilion of the Centre communautaire de loisirs Claude-Nault, which will meet the growing needs of the residents of the Saint‑Nicéphore neighbourhood. Building this pavilion will make Central-Boisbriand Park a place where education, sports, culture and community recreation can co-exist in harmony with nature.”

Alain Carrier, Mayor of the City of Drummondville

“The board of directors of the Centre communautaire de loisirs Claude-Nault is very pleased to acknowledge the financial assistance provided by the federal and provincial governments under the PAFIRS program. There are more and more young families and residential development in the Boisbriand Park area. Relocating and upgrading the centre’s facilities became necessary so we could continue to carry out our mission. Our commitment to provide a wider range of sports and recreational activities to the whole community while focusing on the area’s residents is now taking shape, and this project will become a reality after so many years of work. Thank you!”

Denise Picotin, Chair of the Board of Directors, Centre communautaire de loisirs Claude-Nault

• Through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), the federal government is investing more than $7.5 billion in Quebec between 2018 and 2028 in community, cultural and recreational infrastructure projects, green infrastructure, public transit, and infrastructure in rural and northern communities.

• The Government of Quebec’s Programme d’aide financière aux infrastructures récréatives et sportives (PAFIRS) is part of the ICIP and the Integrated Bilateral Agreement (IBA), which aims to implement the ICIP in Quebec and establish the terms, obligations and commitments of the parties. PAFIRS has a budget of $294 million.

• The Ministère de l’Éducation is responsible for implementing the Recreational Infrastructure sub-stream of the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure stream of the IBA.

• By funding projects to build, develop, renovate, upgrade, expand or redevelop recreational and sports infrastructure, PAFIRS aims to support the presence of recreational and sports infrastructure that is in good condition in all regions of Quebec and to increase Quebecers’ access to such infrastructure.

Related products

• Annex—Backgrounder: The Governments of Canada and Quebec Invest in Eight Recreational and Sports Projects in the Centre-du-Québec Region

Associated links

• Investing in Canada Plan Project Map
• Federal investments in Quebec infrastructure projects
• Investing in Canada: Canada’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan
• Programme d’aide financière aux infrastructures récréatives et sportives (PAFIRS – EBI) [in French only]

Chantalle Aubertin
Press Secretary
Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-941-0660
Chantalle.Aubertin@canada.ca

Alice Bergeron
Press Secretary for the Minister of Education
and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women
418-997-4093