Canada and Quebec support the construction of a sports centre in Magdalen Islands

MAGDALEN ISLANDS, QC, July 16, 2018 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Quebec recognize the importance of having good recreational infrastructure that encourages people to adopt healthy lifestyles and helps make communities vibrant inclusive places to live.

The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for Gaspésie?Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, and Germain Chevarie, Member of the National Assembly for Îles-de-la-Madeleine, today announced that the governments of Canada and Quebec will each invest over $5.2 million for the construction of a new sports centre with two ice rinks in Magdalen Islands.

This financial support comes from the New Building Canada Fund, Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component?Small Communities Fund. The Municipality will also invest more than $5.2 million to bring the total government and municipal investment to over $15.7 million.

The new sports centre will include two ice rinks, a running and walking track, a multifunctional room, a press gallery, space to practice mat activities, and bleachers for approximately 800 people. Once completed, the work will promote sports in the municipality and encourage residents to stay active.

Quotes

"Investing in recreational infrastructure is key to developing individual well-being, community vitality and economic growth. The future Magdalen Islands sports centre will provide families with a modern facility where they can take part in new activities and stay fit while having fun. Our Government is proud to support projects that promote the development of strong, inclusive and healthy communities."

The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for Gaspésie?Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, on behalf of the Honorable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"The Government of Quebec is yet again involved in a major construction project in the Islands, once more demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting municipalities and ensuring the sustainability and quality of their infrastructure. This long-awaited project in the archipelago will provide residents of the Magdalen Islands with accessible and safe sports facilities, enabling everyone to participate in sports and physical activities and encouraging the adoption of a physically active lifestyle."

Germain Chevarie, Member of the National Assembly for Îles-de-la-Madeleine, on behalf of Sébastien Proulx, Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports, Minister Responsible for the Capitale-Nationale Region

"After many years of planning and consultation, we are finally making this multi-sports centre a reality. These concerted efforts have now born fruit and it's with great emotion and pride that I acknowledge the collective work in getting this major project under way. As we work on making our region more attractive, this modern multi-sports centre will help improve the quality of life for young and old and lead to the realization of other projects."

Jonathan Lapierre, Mayor of Magdalen Islands

Quick Facts

• The Small Communities Fund is a joint federal?provincial program coordinated by Infrastructure Canada in partnership with the provinces and territories. In Quebec, the Fund is administered by the Quebec Department of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy. The goal of this program is to provide financial support to Canadian municipalities with fewer than 100,000 residents to develop infrastructure that enhance their cultural, sports, recreational, and tourism assets or safeguard public assets.
• The Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities. $25.3 billion of this funding will support social infrastructure in Canadian communities.
• Quebec's 2018-2028 Infrastructure Plan calls for nearly $7.3 billion in investments in municipal infrastructure under the Quebec Department of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy. When combined with contributions from the Government of Canada and municipalities, this means over $14.3 billion will be invested in municipal infrastructure in Quebec over this period.

Associated Links

Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/about-invest-apropos-eng.html

Federal investments in infrastructure projects in Quebec: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/index-eng.html

New Building Canada Fund, Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component?Small Communities Fund: http://www.mamot.gouv.qc.ca/infrastructures/programmes-daide-financiere/nouveau-fonds-chantiers-canada-quebec-volet-fonds-des-petites-collectivites-fpc/

Quebec's 2018-2028 Infrastructure Plan: https://www.tresor.gouv.qc.ca/fileadmin/PDF/budget_depenses/18-19/fr/8-Infrastructures_publiques_du_Quebec.pdf

Twitter: @INFC_eng 
Website: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada