$150,000 invested in L’Ancienne-Lorette to set up an arts and cultural centre

Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF)

L'Ancienne-Lorette, December 8, 2006 – Acting on behalf of Nathalie Normandeau, Quebec's Ministre des Affaires municipales et des Régions, France Hamel, Member of the National Assembly for La Peltrie, today joined the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of International Cooperation, Minister for La Francophonie and Official Languages and Member of Parliament for Louis-Saint-Laurent, acting on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, in announcing that the City of L'Ancienne-Lorette will receive $100,000 under the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) to set up an arts and cultural centre in the municipality.

This funding will serve to renovate a building located at 1268 Saint-Paul Street to house the centre. The project involves carrying out various repairs and improvements to bring this historic building, built in 1890, up to standard. This new centre of artistic promotion, dissemination and creation will enable the city to enhance its cultural services by hosting a variety of local and regional events such as courses, concerts and exhibitions. The entire population of L'Ancienne-Lorette, or more than 16,500 residents, will benefit from this project.

“The future arts and cultural centre of L'Ancienne-Lorette will be an essential site for initiation to the arts in all of its various forms. The Government of Quebec is proud to contribute to this project, which will generate considerable cultural, tourism and economic benefits for the city and the region as a whole,” commented France Hamel.

“I am delighted to announce this contribution from Canada's new government toward the creation of an arts and cultural centre in L'Ancienne-Lorette. The renovation of a site dedicated to culture is a meaningful event for the entire population, and one which is sure to help enhance the quality of life and economic development of the region,” Minister Josée Verner added.

Completion of this project will necessitate a total eligible investment of $150,000 under component 3 of the MRIF. As such, the Government of Quebec and Government of Canada will each contribute $50,000 toward the work, for a total of $100,000 in combined government assistance, while the City of L'Ancienne-Lorette will assume $50,000 of the project's costs.

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

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

Nadja Raphaël
Communications
Canada Economic Development
514-283-2634