Havre-Saint-Pierre, Quebec, April 19, 2006 - While on tour in the
Côte-Nord region, the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and
Minister of Canada Economic Development, today officially inaugurated
the Port of Havre-Saint-Pierre's new multipurpose building.
A $900,000 non-repayable assistance was provided by
Canada Economic Development to the Corporation de développement et
de gestion du port de Havre-Saint-Pierre (CDGP) for the construction of the
multipurpose building. By bringing a range of tourism services under one roof,
this new facility will help centralize and better structure the tourism offering
in the area, including tour boat operations featuring excursions to the Mingan
Archipelago, one of the region's main attractions.
Funding of $450,000 was also awarded by Parks Canada for the construction of
the multipurpose building in order to improve the reception and interpretation
services for visitors to the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve of
Canada.
"The economic vibrancy of the Minganie region is an important priority for
the Government of Canada. Improving Havre-Saint-Pierre's port facilities is an
investment in the future of the tourism industry, a key sector whose spin-offs
contribute significantly to the quality of life within our communities,"
explained Minister Blackburn.
"Parks Canada is proud to contribute to the economic growth of the region by
highlighting the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve of Canada, a protected
area and major tourism draw for the Côte-Nord," noted the Honourable Rona
Ambrose, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks
Canada.
The efforts being made to ensure the enhancement and conservation of this
park are part of a larger master plan that, with the active involvement of
regional stakeholders, has been recently revised to assure a more streamlined
management with communities in the Minganie region.
The new multipurpose building will house the port's administrative offices
and a variety of tourism services, among them Parks Canada's, as well as tour
boat ticket offices.
It should be recalled that Canada Economic Development's mandate is to
promote the economic development of the regions of Quebec. Primarily through
financial assistance programs, the Agency elicits and supports the
implementation of economic development projects.
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Sources:
Claudie LamontagneCommunicationsCanada Economic DevelopmentTel.:
418 722-3282E-mail: claudie.lamontagne@dec-ced.gc.caRoxane
MarchandPress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable Jean-Pierre
BlackburnCanada Economic DevelopmentTel.:
819 953-5646Cell.: 613 816-5094E-mail: roxane.marchand@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Ryan SparrowAssociate Director and Press SecretaryOffice of the
Minister of the Environment819 997-1441
Canada Economic Development is on line at www.dec-ced.gc.ca.
