A new Chibougamau Eenou Friendship Centre

CHIBOUGAMAU, QC, Oct. 25, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Today marked the official visit to the construction site of the new building that will house the Chibougamau Eenou Friendship Centre (CEFC). The Québec government is providing $600 000 from the Aboriginal Initiatives Fund III and the government of Canada is offering a non-refundable $500 000 contribution through Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), under the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program (CIP 150), to carry out the project, worth nearly $2.7 million.

The initiative will afford the Aboriginal community of Chibougamau an ideal place to gather and to draw closer to the non-native population. Access to the new building will support the work of the Friendship Centre team seeking to enhance the living conditions of Aboriginal people residing in or passing through Chibougamau.

"This fresh start will draw the region's non-native and Aboriginal populations closer together, a priority for the Québec government. We clearly affirm in the Policy on Québec Affirmation and Canadian Relations: Quebecers, Our Way of Being Canadian the Aboriginal peoples' contribution to the development of Québec's identity and their place in Québec's history. The project emphasizes the importance of harmonizing our relations on the basis of mutual respect and cooperation."

Philippe Couillard, Premier of Québec

"The new building will enable the Chibougamau Eenou Friendship Centre to pursue its mission and thereby enhance the living conditions of the members of the First Nations by offering them numerous support and guidance programs specifically designed for them. Moreover, the plans of the new facility reflect the community-oriented nature of the centre's mission and Aboriginal culture."

Geoffrey Kelley, Minister responsible for Native Affairs

"There is no better way to highlight Canada's 150th anniversary than to celebrate places that draw us together and enable us to keep in shape, relax and mingle with our friends and neighbours. That is why we are supporting projects like the Chibougamau Eenou Friendship Centre, which are mobilizing and uniting the country's Aboriginal and non-native communities."

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for CED

"The Chibougamau Eenou Friendship Centre is part of the history of the city and even of the province since it is the first Aboriginal friendship centre established in Québec. I hope that the new building will once again make the centre a reference, a place for sharing and exchanges among Aboriginal people residing in or passing through Chibougamau."

Luc Blanchette, Minister of Forests, Wildlife and Parks and Minister responsible for the Nord-du-Québec region

"We hope that the new building will contribute to the community's well-being and facilitate the work of Jo-Ann Toulouse's dedicated team. The facility will reduce maintenance costs and generate new income to enable the centre to broaden its service offer and provide a healthy, safe, better adapted workplace."

Jean Boucher, MNA for Ungava and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Forests, Wildlife and Parks

SOURCE Cabinet du ministre responsable des Affaires autochtones

Joçanne Prévost, Press Officer, Office of the Premier of Québec, 418-643-5321; Mylène Gaudreau, Press Officer, Office of the Minister responsible for Native Affairs, Telephone: [phone]; Media Relations, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Telephone: [phone], Email: [e-mail]; Gabrielle Fallu, Press Officer, Office of the Minister of Forests, Wildlife and Parks, Telephone: [phone]; Frédérique Brais-Chaput, Political Attaché, MNA for Ungava, Telephone: [phone]