Funding for Vallée-Jonction multi-purpose building raised from $1,345,124 to $1,530,018

Canada-Quebec Infrastructure Works

Québec, February 6, 2008 – Acting on behalf of Nathalie Normandeau, Deputy Premier of Quebec and Ministre des Affaires municipales et des Régions, Laurent Lessard, Ministre de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation and Ministre responsable de la région de la Chaudière-Appalaches, today joined the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, in announcing that the Municipality of Vallée-Jonction will receive an additional $184,894 in combined government funding under the Canada-Quebec Infrastructure Works program, up from $1,345,124 to $1,530,018, for the construction of a new multi-purpose building.

The future 1,213 square-metre building complex will house the municipal offices, recreation centre, large 400-person capacity multi-purpose hall and small municipal library. Once completed, this project will allow Vallée-Jonction to operate more functional and accessible municipal offices, significantly improve the quality and quantity of community services available to its citizens, and upgrade its community and recreational infrastructure. These new facilities will benefit some 2,000 residents.

“The execution of this long-awaited project addresses the locally-expressed need for improvements to the municipality's existing infrastructure and increased municipal, community and recreational services. This building is sure to become a central meeting place and recreational site for the entire local and regional population,” stated Minister Lessard.

“The Government of Canada is committed to bringing about tangible and lasting improvements to the quality of life of all Canadians, and we are therefore proud to be part of community infrastructure projects that offer new opportunities for local development. Indeed, these are the very projects that are essential to our country's future,” added Minister Blackburn.

Completion of this project will necessitate an eligible investment of $2,295,028. Under the terms of the agreement, the Municipality of Vallée-Jonction will pay $765,010 of the project's costs, while the Government of Canada and Government of Quebec will each contribute $765,009, for a combined total of $1,530,018 in government funding.

Vallée-Jonction Mayor Lise Cloutier said she is delighted with the governments' support of this project, which promises to modernize the municipality's community and recreational facilities while improving local citizens' quality of life and furthering the cultural, economic and tourism development of the region.

The Canada-Quebec Infrastructure Works program is aimed at helping communities repair, replace and build water supply, sewer and sewage treatment systems, develop projects involving experiments with new technologies and create projects that enhance, restore or construct facilities with economic, urban or regional side benefits. This aspect of the program is overseen by the Ministère des Affaires municipales et des Régions. The program also supports highway systems and public transportation, under the responsibility of the Ministère des Transports du Québec and Infrastructures-Transport. Canada Economic Development administers the program on behalf of the Government of Canada. The program will generate work worth a total of $1.686 billion.

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Source:

Johanne Levesque
Communications Advisor
Communications Branch
Ministère des Affaires municipales et des Régions
514-873-6910

Information:

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

Jean-Philippe Payment
Press Secretar
Office of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Canada Economic Development
819-953-5646

Guylaine Beaudoin
Communications Advisor
Canada Economic Development
418-648-4679