Inauguration of the Place des Canotiers

QUÉBEC, June 11, 2017 /CNW/ - The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Member of Parliament for Québec, François Blais, Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity and Minister Responsible for the Capitale-Nationale Region, and Régis Labeaume, Mayor of Quebec City, today inaugurated the all new Place des Canotiers located between Rue Dalhousie and the St. Lawrence River in Old Quebec.

Beautiful by day and magnificent at night, this new marine gateway to the provincial capital highlights Quebec's maritime history while being both modern and welcoming. The public square includes green spaces and street furniture designed to be reminiscent of the historic landscape and 19^th-century wooden wharves, and paved areas inspired by rippling water. Water jets and a veil of mist appear intermittently. The work of art, Elle est retrouvée. Quoi?–L'Éternité. C'est la mer allée Avec le soleil, by artist Marc-Antoine Côté, was the winning selection of a competition resulting from the Government of Quebec's policy to integrate art and architecture into public spaces. The wooden terrace and feature wall recall the site's former wharves. A large stairway leads to a lookout offering a breathtaking view of the public square, the river and Old Quebec.

Designed to restore distinction to an area previously used as an open-air parking lot, the Place des Canotiers is now the largest public space in Old Quebec with nearly 20,000 square metres accessible to residents and visitors. The Place also offers a 389-space, multi-storey parking lot on the north side of the site.

The total cost for this project was $39 million. The Government of Quebec invested nearly $26.9 million and the City of Québec provided nearly $8 million. The Government of Canada contributed $4.1 million under the Major Infrastructure Component of the Building Canada Fund. This redevelopment project demonstrates the recognition of the governments of Canada, Quebec, and the City of Québec of the essential role cultural infrastructure plays in developing dynamic communities and protecting Canada's diverse heritage.

The name of the public square was chosen by residents through the competition, Une place à nommer held in the spring of 2015. "Place des Canotiers" harkens back to a key feature of Quebec's culture--river crossings by canoe, particularly in winter and into Québec. The Société québécoise des infrastructures managed the redevelopment project. The Commission de la capitale nationale du Québec is responsible for managing events and the use of Place des Canotiers, which will play host to diverse activities, including the celebration of the arrival of the Tall Ships in the provincial capital from July 18 to 23, 2017, for the 150^th anniversary of Confederation.

"Investing in cultural infrastructures helps Canada preserve the experiences of its people and places. In addition to providing Québec residents with the opportunity to rediscover the river, Place des Canotiers will welcome visitors from all walks of life. The Government of Canada recognizes that strategic investments in public infrastructure support community development and create good jobs that promote the growth of the middle class."

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Member of Parliament for Québec, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Today, we can say that the Place des Canotiers is one of Québec's most beautiful sites and that it will become a moving and lively centre of attraction. This project, long-awaited by residents, is another example of our government's commitment to giving the river back to the Quebecois, while providing a welcoming site for international cruise passengers visiting our capital."

François Blais, Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity and Minister Responsible for the région de la Capitale-Nationale

"The City of Quebec is proud to inaugurate the very beautiful Place des Canotiers, one of our city's primary gathering places, peaceful respites and spots to relax. This is one of those essential projects for our city's quality of life, restoring user-friendly access to the river for Quebec residents while offering our maritime guests an exceptional port of entry."

For more information on the infrastructure plan investing more than $180 billion by the Government of Canada in Budget 2017: http://www.budget.gc.ca/2017/docs/plan/chap-02-fr.html

For further information: Contacts: Brook Simpson, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-219-0149; Simon Laboissonnière, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity, Minister responsible for the National Capital, 418-643-4810; Paul-Christian Nolin, Press Secretary, Office of the Mayor, 418-641-6434; Martin Roy, Communications Advisor, Société québécoise des infrastructures, 418-646-1766, ext. 3163; Anne-Marie Gauthier, Communications and Public Relations Coordinator, Commission de la capitale nationale du Québec, anne-marie.gauthier@capitale.gouv.qc.ca, 418-644-0826; For information: Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, E-mail: infc.media.infc@canada.ca

Inauguration of the Place des Canotiers

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