Government of Canada Funds Quebec and Montreal Grands Prix Cyclistes

MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC--(Marketwired - June 17, 2013) - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, took the opportunity of today's official launch of the fourth Québec and Montréal Grands Prix Cyclistes to announce the renewal of the government's partnership agreement with the organization Grands Prix Cyclistes World Tour.

"In lending financial support to the Québec and Montréal Grands Prix Cyclistes, the Government of Canada is showing proof of its commitment to promoting the practice of sports and the growth of tourism, a profitable sector for the Quebec economy," said Minister Lebel.

Canada Economic Development is an early partner of the Québec and Montréal Grands Prix Cycliste-the only two races of the UCI WorldTour to be held this side of the Atlantic-which will be taking place this year on September 13 and 15, respectively. The organization will use the funding it has been granted to carry out audiovisual production and commercialization activities on more than 80 national markets outside Quebec. These activities include the creation of advertisements, promotional materials and tourism vignettes on the cities of Québec and Montréal, the hosting of foreign journalists, the televised broadcast of the races and the updating of the events' official Web site.

"Our government remains focused on four priorities, as outlined by the Prime Minister, that Canadians care most about: their families, the safety of our streets and communities, their pride in being a citizen of this country, and of course, their personal financial security," Minister Lebel concluded.

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This assistance, granted in the form of a $1,980,000 non-repayable financial contribution covering the 2012, 2013 and 2014 editions, has been awarded through Canada Economic Development's Quebec Economic Development Program.

To learn more about the Québec and Montréal Grands Prix Cyclistes, visit www.gpcqm.ca.

Keep up with the latest news from Canada Economic Development by visiting www.dec-ced.gc.ca or subscribing to @CanEconDev on Twitter.