Canada and Quebec support the development of sports opportunities for Saint-Zotique residents

SAINT-ZOTIQUE, QC, May 25, 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.

Marc Miller, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Lucie Charlebois, Member of the National Assembly for Soulanges, Minister for Rehabilitation, Youth Protection, Public Health and Healthy Living, and Minister Responsible for the Montérégie Region, today announced that the governments of Canada and Quebec will each invest nearly $635,000 to expand and add a roof to Saint-Zotique's outdoor ice rink.

This financial support comes from the New Building Canada Fund, Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component?Small Communities Fund. The Municipality of Saint-Zotique will also invest close to $635,000 to bring the total government and municipal investment to over $1.9 million.

The rink expansion project will increase capacity and protect the surface from weather damage, extending the skating season. 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 Saint-Zotique rink improvement project will provide families with an outdoor sports facility adapted to their growing needs, where they can stay fit while having fun. Our Government is proud to support projects that promote the development of strong, inclusive and healthy communities."

Marc Miller, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"By supporting this project in the Municipality of Saint-Zotique we are demonstrating our commitment to providing safe accessible facilities on the local level and modern high-quality infrastructure throughout the province. As we all know, encouraging healthy lifestyles is at the heart of government action on health, which is why I'm proud to support this project that will encourage Soulanges residents to adopt active lifestyles."

Lucie Charlebois, MNA for Soulanges, Minister for Rehabilitation, Youth Protection, Public Health and Healthy Living, and Minister Responsible for the Montérégie Region, on behalf of Sébastien Proulx, Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports, Minister Responsible for the Capitale-Nationale Region

"We are proud to offer residents winter sports infrastructure that can withstand the vagaries of Mother Nature and allow us to extend the skating season. Whether it's used for recreation or competition, Saint-Zotique's outdoor rink will promote healthy lifestyles for all ages."

Yvon Chiasson, Mayor of Saint-Zotique

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

Smart Cities Challenge: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/cities-villes/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