Canada and Quebec support the development of a marina park in Shawinigan

SHAWINIGAN, QC, Aug. 30, 2017 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Quebec recognize the key role of tourism infrastructure in developing dynamic communities and protecting Canada's diverse heritage.

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade and Member of Parliament for Saint-Maurice‒Champlain and Julie Boulet, Minister of Tourism and Minister Responsible for the Mauricie Region, today announced that the governments of Canada and Quebec will each invest over $4.6 million in the Shawinigan marina park development.

This financial assistance comes from the New Building Canada Fund, Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component—Small Communities Fund. The City of Shawinigan will also contribute over $4.6 million for a total government-municipal investment of over $13.8 million.

The project involves developing the waterfront along the Saint-Maurice River to include a boardwalk, fishing area and marina. Once completed, this project will help meet the city's needs and promote tourism in Shawinigan.

Quotes

"This investment will help make the Mauricie Region a place where families can get together and have fun. In addition to providing new activities for Shawinigan residents and giving them the opportunity to rediscover their natural surroundings, this tourism infrastructure will also bring future generations together. Our government is proud to support projects that improve people's quality of life while promoting economic growth and the creation of well-paid middle-class jobs."

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade and Member of Parliament for Saint-Maurice‒Champlain, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Developing a marine centre in Shawinigan will promote the Saint-Maurice River as a prime tourist destination in Quebec in addition to showcasing the Mauricie Region's marine industry. This also aligns with the primary objective of Quebec's Strategy to Develop Tourism along the St. Lawrence River, which, among other things, involves developing and strengthening Quebec's tourism sector to make it a competitive, sustainable, innovative and attractive industry for Quebec visitors and external markets."

Julie Boulet, Quebec Minister of Tourism and Minister Responsible for the Mauricie Region

"The marina project on the banks of the Saint-Maurice River complements the conversion of the industrial wasteland of the former Laurentide plant of Resolute Forest Products. At the same time, it allows us to provide residents with a new window on this magnificent body of water. Finally, this new marina will fill growing boating demands while playing an important role in the development of our tourism industry. "

Michel Angers, Mayor of Shawinigan

Quick Facts

• The Small Communities Fund is a joint federal-provincial program coordinated by Infrastructure Canada in partnership with the provinces and territories. In Quebec, the Fund is administered by the Quebec Department of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy. The goal of this program is to provide financial support to Canadian municipalities with fewer than 100,000 residents to develop infrastructure that can enhance their cultural, sports, recreational, and tourism assets or safeguard public assets.
• The Government of Canada will provide more than $180 billion in infrastructure funding over 12 years for public transit, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, transportation that supports trade, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
• Budget 2017 allocates $21.9 billion to support social infrastructure in Canadian communities.
• Quebec's 2017-2027 Infrastructure Plan calls for $7 billion in investments in municipal infrastructure under the Quebec Department of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy. When combined with contributions from the Government of Canada and municipalities, this means $15 billion will be invested in municipal infrastructure in Quebec over the next 10 years.

Associated Links

Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada's new $180 billion infrastructure plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/about-invest-apropos-eng.html

Federal investments in infrastructure projects in Quebec: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/index-eng.html

New Building Canada Plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nbcp-npcc-eng.html

New Building Canada Fund, Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure component—Small Communities Fund: http://www.mamot.gouv.qc.ca/infrastructures/programmes-daide-financiere/nouveau-fonds-chantiers-canada-quebec-volet-fonds-des-petites-collectivites-fpc/

Quebec's 2017-2027 Infrastructure Plan: https://www.tresor.gouv.qc.ca/fileadmin/PDF/budget_depenses/17-18/infrastructuresPubliquesQuebec.pdf

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

Brook Simpson, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Tel.: [phone]; Chantale Carignan, Policy Advisor, Office of the Minister of Tourism and Minister Responsible for the Mauricie Region, Tel.: [phone]; Infrastructure Canada, Tel.: [phone], Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, E-mail: [email protected], Twitter: @INFC_eng, Website: Infrastructure Canada; Jean-Pierre D'Auteuil, Media Relations Officer, Communications Branch, Ministry of Tourism, Tel: [phone], ext. 4868, Cell: 418-559-0710; Pierre-Luc Lévesque, Communications Branch, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy and the Ministry of Public Safety, Tel.: [phone], ext. 3746

Related Links

http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/