Government of Canada Funds Final Phase of Lac-Megantic's Marcheurs d'etoiles

LAC-MÉGANTIC, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - May 28, 2015) - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

Acting on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, the Honourable Christian Paradis, Member of Parliament for Mégantic-L'Érable and Minister of International Development and Minister for La Francophonie, announces that the Town of Lac-Mégantic has been granted funding as a concrete measure to support its economic recovery and provide assistance to the town and to the businesses and organizations affected by the events of 2013.

This support is being awarded in the form of a $490,000 non-repayable financial contribution through Component 1, City Reconstruction Projects, of the Economic Recovery Initiative for Lac-Mégantic (ERILM) administered by CED and is contingent on a contribution agreement being signed between Canada Economic Development and the client.

Quick facts

• The $490,000 investment will allow the Town of Lac-Mégantic, through the Commission des arts, de la culture et du patrimoine, to complete the final phase of its "Marcheur d'étoiles" monumental sculpture project.
• During the project's first phase in September 2014, 16 sculptures were created before a live audience for installation along a future walking trail.
• This latest funding will support the design, creation and installation of an additional 32 sculptures along the cultural and heritage walking trail encircling Lac-Mégantic's new downtown core. These works will be created by 32 professional sculptors during public events to be held this summer in Lac-Mégantic.

Quotes

"The realization of this unprecedented museum trail project in the heart of the downtown core illustrates our government's steadfast commitment to supporting the reconstruction and economic recovery of Lac-Mégantic."

Christian Paradis, Member of Parliament for Mégantic-L'Érable and Minister of International Development and Minister for La Francophonie

"As well as enhancing Lac-Mégantic's urban landscape and contributing to its cultural heritage, these sculptures will reinforce the presence of public art in the heart of our town while giving citizens a free and accessible window into the world of artistic creation."

Colette Roy Laroche, Mayor of Lac-Mégantic

Related links

Town of Lac-Mégantic Website: www.ville.lac-megantic.qc.ca (in French only)

For more about the Economic Recovery Initiative for Lac-Mégantic: http://www.dec-ced.gc.ca/eng/funding/initiative/megantic/index.html

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