Government of Canada Funds Commercialization of Tour de l'Abitibi / Coupe des Nations

AMOS, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - July 5, 2011) - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, today announced the awarding of $74,625 in non-repayable funding to the Tour de l'Abitibi / Coupe des Nations cycling road race.

"The Government of Canada has decided to lend its financial support to the Tour de l'Abitibi / Coupe des Nations because this cycling event, which is sanctioned by the Union cycliste internationale (UCI), always attracts thousands of visitors from near and far," explained Minister Lebel.

Tour de l'Abitibi / Coupe des Nations will use this financial contribution to, among other things, conduct a communication campaign on its Web site aimed at promoting the race, especially abroad.

The Tour de l'Abitibi / Coupe des Nations, which will take place in Amos from July 18 to 24, is reserved to male riders aged 17 and 18. It is the only leg of the Junior World Cup to be held outside of Europe. This sports event will mobilize 400 volunteers.

Tourism is a promising growth sector for Abitibi-Témiscamingue, as are mining and the processing of agri-food and forest products. It is therefore in these areas that Canada Economic Development has chosen to concentrate its development efforts for the region.

This financial assistance from the Government of Canada has been granted through the Community Diversification program.

For more on the Tour de l'Abitibi / Coupe des Nations: www.tourabitibi.qc.ca.

Canada Economic Development is online at www.dec-ced.gc.ca. Subscribe to the Agency's press releases at http://www.dec-ced.gc.ca/eng/media-room/mailing-list/list.html to keep up with the latest news.