Investment of $525,000 to the Station agrotouristique de la Basse-Lièvre for the restoration and redevelopment of the Masson-Angers station

Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF)

Gatineau, November 17, 2006 – Acting on behalf of Nathalie Normandeau, Quebec's Ministre des Affaires municipales et des Régions, Norman MacMillan, Member of the National Assembly for Papineau and Chief Government Whip, today joined the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, acting on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, in announcing that the Station agrotouristique de la Basse-Lièvre will receive $350,000 in combined government funding under the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) to restore and redevelop the Masson-Angers station, formerly Canadian Pacific's Buckingham Junction train station.

This project mainly involves repairing the building's structure, rebuilding its roof and restoring its interior architectural heritage. The building is planned to house an interpretation centre on the region's railway history, an ecomuseum, a rest stop, a local products' sales stand and a tourism information counter.

“The Masson-Angers station is an important heritage monument that enjoys exceptional visibility. The Government of Quebec is proud to contribute to this project, which will not only serve to restore the building to its former architectural glory but also to give it a major role in the economic and tourism development of Gatineau and the surrounding region,” stated Norman MacMillan.

“The spin-offs from this restoration work are sure to have a rallying effect on the community. On both the cultural and tourism levels, this new station will be a key element in the region's economic recovery. That is why I am so proud to announce this contribution from Canada's new government,” added the Honourable Lawrence Cannon.

Completion of this major project will require a total eligible investment of $525,000 under component 3 of the MRIF. As such, the governments of Quebec and of Canada will each contribute $175,000 toward these upgrades, for a total of $350,000 in combined government funding, while the Station agrotouristique de la Basse-Lièvre will assume $175,000 of the project's costs.

The Station agrotouristique de la Basse-Lièvre is dedicated to the conservation and restoration of the old Buckingham Junction train station and to showcasing the building's heritage value through its commercial operation as a cultural and tourism enterprise. Built in 1877, the Buckingham Junction station played a critical role in Gatineau's development and was designated a Canadian Heritage Railway Station in 1994 by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

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:     

Christine Poirier Laberge
Communications Advisor
Communications Branch
Ministère des Affaires municipales et des Régions
514-873-3687

Information:

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

Roxane Marchand
Press Secretary
Office of the HonourableJean-Pierre Blackburn
Canada Economic Development
819-953-5646
613-816-5094

Jean Décary
Communications Advisor
Canada Economic Development
514-283-2234