Government of Canada Invests $10M in the Construction of Le Diamant, an International-Scale Performing Arts Centre in Quebec City

QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - June 10, 2016) - The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, were in Quebec city, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, to announce a Government of Canada investment of $10 million for the construction of the Diamant, a multi-purpose theatre with 625 seats. The Quebec Minister of Culture and Communications and Minister responsible for the Protection and Promotion of the French Language, Luc Fortin, and the Vice President of the Executive Committee responsible for culture, heritage and land occupation from Quebec City, Julie Lemieux, also participated in this important announcement.

In addition to providing the public with the best of both Quebec and international creations, including that of Ex Machina by Robert Lepage, the Diamant project will revitalize partly-abandoned historic buildings to create a hub of cultural activity for citizens and visitors to Quebec City. The Diamant will contribute to the dynamic energy of Place D'Youville and create an authentic theatrical space in Old Quebec alongside the Capitole de Québec and the Palais Montcalm.

The total cost of the project will be just over $54 million. The Government of Canada will provide $10 million from the Major Infrastructure Component of the Building Canada Fund. This amount is in addition to contributions previously announced by the Government of Quebec (up to $30 million), the City of Québec ($7 million), and the Diamant theatre ($2 million). A funding campaign is ongoing to source the remaining $5 million.

Quotes

"Cultural institutions like the Diamant theatre play a key role in the development of dynamic communities that celebrate creativity and culture. The Government of Canada announced a historic plan to invest over 120 billion dollars in public infrastructure over the next 10 years. The new funding, including for cultural projects, will better meet the needs of Canadians, strengthen the economy, and build Canada's place in the 21st century. Cultural institutions like this theatre also service to celebrate our esteemed artists, like Robert Lepage, who showcase Canadian talent around the world."

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

Associated Links

For more information about the New Building Canada Plan, go to http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/plan-eng.html.

For more information about the volet Major Infrastructures Component of the Building Canada Fund, go to http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/prog/bcf-fcc-eng.html.

To see how the federal government invests in Quebec through other programs: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/qc-eng.html.

For more information on the Building Canada-Quebec Program, go to:
http://www.mamot.gouv.qc.ca/infrastructures/programmes-daide-financiere/fonds-chantiers-canada-quebec-fccq/