Canada and Quebec support a project to improve public infrastructure security in Lyster

LYSTER, QC, June 14, 2018 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Quebec recognize that investing in infrastructure is fundamental to promoting economic growth, enhancing public safety and protecting communities against natural disasters. 

The Honorable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and André Fortin, Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification, today announced that the governments of Canada and Quebec will each invest nearly $60,000 for the stabilization and development of Bécancour River bank in the Municipality of Lyster. This financial support comes from the New Building Canada Fund, Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component?Small Communities Fund. The Municipality of Lyster will also invest close to $60,000 to bring the total government and municipal investment to almost $180,000.

The goal of the stabilization and development work is to reduce erosion along the Bécancour River bank. The development project will keep residents and users of the Lyster recreation centre safe, as well as protect the river bank's trees, which are at risk of being uprooted by ice and flood waters each year. The project also involves installing recreational equipment such as gazebos, swings and docks.

Once completed, this project will improve the river's water quality by reducing the amount of sediment caused by erosion. Stabilizing and developing the river bank will also help establish a feeding and shelter area for fish, improve public safety, and allow residents to enjoy and make the river and surrounding area their own.

Quotes

"Now more than ever, communities must take action to mitigate the impact of extreme weather conditions. The Bécancour River bank stabilization and development project will help protect the environment while enhancing public safety and residents' quality of life. The Government of Canada recognizes that renewing key public infrastructure like this plays a significant role in building strong resilient communities."

The Honorable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"As is the case with the Bécancour River bank project, infrastructure must be in good condition to provide residents with reliable facilities. It is important to plan the construction work of infrastructure in a sustainable and safe manner by assessing all potential issues. Anticipating erosion risk and securing the area along a waterway like this river is a good example of this."

André Fortin, Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification

"For residents of the area, the Bécancour River is an important aspect of their local environment. With the presence of economic activity and residential life in such close proximity to the river, concrete action must be taken to ensure a high quality of life for the residents and business on its shores. I applaud this investment, which will bring new peace of mind to all local residents."

Laurent Lessard, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and Minister Responsible for the Centre-du-Québec Region

"It is with pride that the municipality of Lyster welcomes this financial support from both levels of government. This contribution to the Bécancour River bank project has made it possible to satisfy a demand from both citizens and the municipal council to make this portion of the river more accessible and safe for recreation and tourism-related activities, while also contributing to the economic growth of the municipality. This is a good example of partnership between three levels of government."

Sylvain Labrecque, Mayor of Lyster

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 with financial support so that they can build infrastructure that will contribute to mitigating the risks of natural disasters.
• 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.
• 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