Government of Canada grants $214,170 in funding to Corporation du Carrefour maritime de Rivière-du-Loup

Redevelopment of La Pointe harbour

Rivière-du-Loup, Quebec, September 23, 2009 − The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, today announced the awarding of $214,170 in non-repayable funding to the Corporation du Carrefour maritime de Rivière-du-Loup for preliminary studies on a major tourism hospitality and service infrastructure project on La Pointe de Rivière-du-Loup.After presenting the development concept for the project, the Corporation will now hire three consulting experts to draw up the execution plan for the development of the new infrastructure, evaluated at $14 million, in 2010 and 2011. This is on top of additional investments planned over the next three years by the Société des traversiers du Québec, the Maliseet of Viger First Nation and the Ministère des Transports du Québec.

“La Pointe de Rivière-du-Loup holds a strategic position as the gateway to the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park, which welcomes some 200,000 visitors by ferry every year. This major hospitality and service infrastructure project is sure to translate into a better tourism offering on and around La Pointe de Rivière-du-Loup, a greater number of visitors, longer stays, the preservation and creation of jobs and higher tourism spending in the region,” explained the Minister of State.

The Carrefour maritime de Rivière-du-Loup project calls for the construction of an interpretation centre and hospitality and service facilities to better meet the diverse needs of users. The funding announced today has been awarded through Canada Economic Development’s Community Diversification program.

“Our government adopted Canada’s Economic Action Plan in January of this year to tackle the economic crisis that has hit our country and the rest of the world. This large-scale measure is aimed not only at bringing about rapid recovery, but also at laying the foundations for solid long-term economic growth and job creation. This Plan will translate into nearly $62 billion in funding being invested in our economy over the next two years,” Minister Lebel added.

For more on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

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Sources:

Claudie Lamontagne
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 418-722-3280 or 1-800-463-9073
E-mail: claudie.lamontagne@dec-ced.gc.ca

Simon Bachand
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Cell.: 613-996-6236
E-mail: simon.bachand@dec-ced.gc.ca