Government of Canada invests to transform the Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste into a cultural, community, and tourism hub in Québec City

QUÉBEC CITY, Oct. 13, 2026 /CNW/ -- The transformation of the Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste -- a heritage site designated by the Government of Quebec -- into a cultural, community, and tourism hub will preserve an important historical site of Québec City while strengthening its role as an accessible and sustainable gathering place for the community, thanks to a $25,000,000 investment from the Government of Canada under the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program.

This was announced by the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Member of Parliament for Québec-Centre, and Mélissa Coulombe-Leduc, City Councillor for the Cap-aux-Diamants District and Member of the Executive Committee in charge of Heritage. Closed to the public since 2015, the Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste will be repurposed as a cultural, community, and tourism hub to restore its role as a central gathering place for the neighbourhood. This project will restore and showcase this heritage-listed building, designed by one of Quebec's leading architects, Joseph-Ferdinand Peachy, while adapting its spaces to the current needs of the community.

The project calls for major work on the foundations, doors, windows, and basement, as well as the replacement of electromechanical systems. These improvements will make the basement and ground floor accessible for community, cultural and tourism-related activities. Part of the restoration work will be entrusted to students at the Maison des métiers d'art, which will contribute to the training of artisans in heritage carpentry for the restoration of wooden windows.

This future cultural, community, and tourism hub will offer the public a unifying space conducive to hosting cultural and community activities. This project will help preserve an important part of Québec City's built heritage while allowing it to continue playing a role in the lives of Quebecers for generations to come.

Quotes

"The history of the Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste is extraordinary: it bears witness to the resilience of the residents of the Saint-Jean district, their expertise, and their ability to come together to build and preserve their heritage. Thanks to this $25 million investment, this magnificent historic building will continue to play a central role in the life of the neighbourhood. By transforming this church into an accessible, inclusive, and sustainable cultural, community, and tourism hub, we are investing in both our heritage and the future of our community.

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Member of the National Assembly for Québec-Centre

"We are committed to revitalizing the Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste not only to breathe new life into an exceptional heritage landmark, but above all to meet the needs of the community and local organizations by adapting it to their current requirements. The work will restore this remarkable building to its former glory, improve its accessibility, and create spaces where culture and community life can take their rightful place. Despite the closure, the church square has never ceased to be a place for spontaneous gatherings. With the federal government's support, we will harness the church's full potential to turn it into a hub of activity in the neighborhood's daily life."

Mélissa Coulombe-Leduc, City Councillor for the Cap-aux-Diamants District and Member of the Executive Committee in charge of Heritage

Quick Facts

• The federal government is investing $25,000,000 in this project through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program and the City of Québec is contributing up to $33,500,000.
• The GICB program was created in support of Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. It supports the Plan's first pillar by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing energy efficiency, and helping develop higher resilience to climate change.
• The program launched in 2021 with an initial investment of $1.5 billion over five years towards green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades, and Budget 2024 announced an additional $500 million to support more projects through GICB until 2029.
• At least 10% of program funding is allocated to projects serving First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, including Indigenous populations in urban centres.
• The Government of Canada is taking concrete actions to strengthen the economy by investing in Canadians and supporting Canadian businesses.
• Federal actions are creating good jobs, accelerating home building and helping communities grow across the country.
• Funding is conditional upon the negotiation and signing of a contribution agreement between the Government of Canada and the recipient.

Associated Links

Green and Inclusive Community Buildings
Strengthened Climate Plan
Housing and Infrastructure Project Map

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SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

Contacts: For more information (media only), please contact: Arianna Durgerian, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, [email protected]; Annie Matthieu, Community Relations Manager, Office of the Member of Parliament for Québec-Centre, 418-564-8314, [email protected]; Media Relations, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]; Cedrik Verreault, Press Secretary, Office of the Mayor, 581-745-1499, [email protected]; Citizen Relations and Communications Department, Québec City, 418 641-6210, [email protected]