Investment of $1,168,717 to expand Maison des jeunes Kekpart in Longueuil

Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF)

Longueuil, November 13, 2006 – Fatima Houda-Pepin, Member of the National Assembly for La Pinière, on behalf of Nathalie Normandeau, Quebec's Ministre des Affaires municipales et des Régions, and the Honourable Michael Fortier, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister responsible for the Montreal region, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, are pleased to announce that Action jeunesse Saint-Pie X de Longueuil inc. will be receiving $779,144 in combined government funding under the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF).

This assistance will enable Action jeunesse Saint-Pie X de Longueuil to expand the Maison des jeunes Kekpart building to accommodate a performing arts and multimedia training centre. This centre, called “La Relève”, aims to give some 40 young people experiencing vulnerable situations an opportunity to learn about the ins and outs of the performing arts, with a view to pursuing a career or expressing or releasing their emotions through the arts. The size of the building will be more than doubled, providing the necessary space for a variety of arts facilities, including practice studios, a video control room and a multimedia room.

“Providing our youth with a place to meet, learn, express themselves, explore their passion and grow – is this not the best way to nurture their dreams and hopes and to stimulate the vitality of our communities? The New Government of Canada is proud to be associated with a project that invests in Canada's future, our youth,” said Minister Fortier.

“I am convinced that this project will have a positive social impact on the region's youth. Moreover, the training centre will increase the cultural potential of Longueuil. The Government of Quebec has made municipal infrastructure modernization a priority. These upgradings are essential to ensuring adequate basic services to the population and the harmonious development of our municipalities and regions,” stated Mrs. Houda-Pepin.

This significant project requires an eligible investment of $1,168,717. Under the terms of component 3 of the MRIF, the Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada will each contribute $389,572 toward the project, for a total of $779,144 in combined government funding, while Action jeunesse Saint-Pie X de Longueuil will contribute the amount of $389,573.

The Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund is a $390 million cost-sharing initiative of the Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada to help finance municipal infrastructure projects in Quebec. With the financial participation of municipalities, this initiative could result in investments of nearly $576 million for infrastructure work in the province. The objectives of the MRIF are to upgrade community infrastructure, improve the quality of the environment, promote long-term economic growth and enhance citizens' quality of life.

Implementation of the MRIF in Quebec is the result of a joint agreement signed by the Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada in July 2005. The program, which is in force until March 31, 2010, is administered by Quebec's Ministère des Affaires municipales et des Régions. Canada Economic Development is responsible for delivering the federal portion of the MRIF on behalf of the Government of Canada.

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Source:

Johannne Levesque
Communications Advisor
Communications Branch
Ministère des Affaires municipales et des Régions
514-873-4294

Information:

Jonathan Trudeau
Press Secretary
Office of the Ministre des Affaires municipales et des Régions
418-691-2050
514-873-2622

Roxanne Marchand
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Canada Economic Development
819-953-5646
613-816-5094

Louise Elliott-Edery
Communications Advisor
Canada Economic Development
514-283-8818