Helping Safeguard a Living Collection in Gaspésie

The Government of Canada supports the Exploramer museum

SAINTE-ANNE-DES-MONTS, QC, Nov. 29, 2018 /CNW/ - Our museums keep our heritage alive and accessible to present and future generations. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the construction and renovation of spaces that promote the conservation and dissemination of museum collections.

The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for Gaspésie–Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, today announced $310,871 in funding for the Exploramer museum complex. Minister Lebouthillier made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism.

This support, provided through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, will let Exploramer provide a secure environment for its living collection of fish and organisms from the St. Lawrence River and its estuary.

Quotes

"Canada's natural and marine heritage is among its greatest riches. In this era of great environmental concern, showcasing this heritage is essential for raising public awareness about the importance of preserving it. Our government is proud to help safeguard the marine species that make up Exploramer's living collection."
—The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism

"For more than 20 years, people of all ages have enjoyed discovering science at Exploramer. Through its diverse activities, the museum has shown locals and visitors from Quebec, the rest of Canada and abroad the importance of protecting the St. Lawrence marine environment. With this support, Exploramer will continue its mission, which does a wonderful job of promoting our region."
—The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for Gaspésie–Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine

"We are sincerely grateful for this investment in our museum institution. With this new funding, Exploramer can complete the reinforcement of its living collection and the building that houses it. Our animals are the heart of Exploramer. My team and I are determined to make this project a real success."
—Gilles Thériault, President of Exploramer

Quick Facts

Exploramer, located on the quay in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts in Gaspésie, focuses on raising public awareness about the preservation and appreciation of the marine environment of the St. Lawrence River. The museum complex provides scientific education activities in its aquarium park, at sea and on the shore.

This work will ensure the survival of Exploramer's living collection during the upcoming chlorination of the water system in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts. Thanks to these planned adjustments, this chlorination will not harm the museum's living collection, which contains 1000 individuals of 60 different species.

In addition to ensuring that the museum activities are optimally maintained for visitors and museum staff, the project will prevent the infrastructure from deteriorating.

The project, funded through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, consists of the initial phase of the construction of a seawater intake and a technical annex that will make it possible to change the water in the aquariums and pools without harming the living collection.

The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund supports the improvement of physical conditions for arts, heritage, culture and creative innovation. The Fund supports renovation and construction projects, the acquisition of specialized equipment and feasibility studies related to cultural spaces.

Associated Links

Exploramer
Canada Cultural Spaces Fund

SOURCE Canadian Heritage

(media only), please contact: Simon Ross, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism, 819-997-7788; Media Relations, Canadian Heritage, 819-994-9101, 1-866-569-6155, [email protected]; Émilie Gagnon, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of National Revenue, [email protected], 613-299-5412