GASPÉ, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Oct. 11, 2012) - 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 funding for 15 projects to be carried out in the Gaspésie region.
The cities of Gaspé, Percé, Chandler, New Richmond and the Municipality of Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine will receive federal government assistance, as will the following firms and organizations: the Société du chemin de fer de la Gaspésie, Escale Gaspésie, Rail GD Inc., C.T.M.A. Immobilière Inc., the Regroupement des pêcheurs professionnels du sud de la Gaspésie Inc., the Université du Québec à Rimouski, and ACPG Innovation, which have been awarded financial assistance for projects targeted to promote the economic growth of the entire region.
"The economy and job creation are key priorities for our government. The contributions granted to these innovative projects illustrates our firm commitment to supporting regional economic development," said Minister Lebel.
Whether it is tourism industry development, business expansion or research and development projects, all the initiatives unveiled today are a reflection of the vitality of the people of Gaspésie, while also contributing to the competitiveness and economic growth of the region.
Information:
These government contributions, which total $17,858,589, have been granted under the Business and Regional Growth, Community Diversification and International Cruise Development programs as well as the Quebec Economic Development Program.
For further details on these projects, see the accompanying backgrounder.
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Funding granted under the Business and Regional Growth, Community Diversification and International Cruise Development programs as well as the Quebec Economic Development Program
| Proponent | Description - Investment - Contribution | |
| City of Gaspé | Non-repayable contribution of $6,000,000/Total investment of $14,704,331 The project involves equipping the region with a new community economic facility dedicated to tourism. This world-class product will showcase Gaspé's historical importance as the birthplace of Canada. It will recreate Pointe du Vieux Gaspé by developing an attractive interpretative site for the thousands of international tourists, including cruise ship passengers. |
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| City of Gaspé | Non-repayable contribution of $2,630,946 / Total investment of $6,274,873 The project involves developing an international cruise ship terminal at the tip of the peninsula from which passengers can be directed to the various tourist attractions in the area. |
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| City of Gaspé | Non-repayable contribution of $1,093,927 / Total investment of $1,735,950 The project involves conducting the preliminary expertise and studies required to implement two major projects to develop cruise ship ports of call at the tip of the Gaspé peninsula, namely, the Berceau du Canada, and permanent hospitality facilities for cruise line passengers. |
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| City of Chandler | Non-repayable contribution of $2,764,857 / Total investment of $6,684,590 The project involves the development of a heritage interpretation circuit for tourists-including international cruise line passengers-highlighting the history of the City of Chandler. The Circuit des Bâtisseurs will showcase the lives of fishermen in the only New France seigniory that commercially exploited the fishery, and present a retrospective on the evolution of the forestry sector in this one-industry town. |
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| Municipality of the Îles-de-la-Madeleine | Non-repayable contribution of $1,043,867 / Total investment of $2,294,060 The project involves setting up a safe corridor in the vicinity of the Cap-aux-Meules dock, developing a walking tour with a view of the ocean, observation platforms at strategic spots and interpretation panels so as to enhance the tourist experience for visitors, including international cruise line passengers. |
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| Société du chemin de fer de la Gaspésie | Non-repayable contribution of $999,919 / Total investment of $2,142,682 The project's goal is to commission a tourist train linking Gaspé and l'Anse-à-Beaufils. The project involves the acquisition and refurbishing of a locomotive and passenger cars, the building of a new wharf for passengers at Coin-du-Banc as well as improvements to l'Anse-à-Beaufils station. |
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| Université du Québec à Rimouski | Non-repayable contribution of $965,020 / Total investment of $2,798,649 The Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR) has been granted $965,020 to carry out a research and development project on creating value from residues generated by the marine products processing industry. UQAR works with Mérinov, among others, and with marine products processing plants in the region to develop a technique for the valorization of these residues. |
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| Escale Gaspésie | Non-repayable contribution of $788,500 / Total investment of $830,000 The project involves equipping the Gaspésie port of call with pontoons and other utility equipment at the tip of Penouille in order to meet the needs of international cruise ship passengers and foster the development of tourism products and services meeting industry quality standards. |
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| Rail GD Inc. | Repayable contribution of $713,750 / Total investment of $3,983,250 The project consists of building, in New Richmond, a new workshop specialized in refurbishing passenger cars and locomotives. The 16,800 square-foot plant will be located on a portion of the former Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation site. The Agency's contribution is earmarked for construction of the plant, site development and equipment acquisition. |
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| City of New Richmond | Non-repayable contribution of $430,020 / Total investment of $487,100 The project involves the funding of prospecting activities in the industrial and recreational tourism sectors. It is part of a strategic sustainable development plan implemented by the City of New Richmond following the cessation of operations by the town's largest employer, Smurfit-Stone Container Corp., in 2005. |
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| C.T.M.A. Immobilière Inc. | Non-repayable contribution of $125,000 / Total investment of $750,000 The project involves developing reception facilities in order to consolidate the Îles-de-la-Madeleine international cruise ship port of call. More specifically, an existing building will be converted into a cruise ship terminal for arriving and departing cruise line passengers visiting the various attractions the Îles-de-la-Madeleine destination has to offer. |
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| Regroupement des pêcheurs professionnels du sud de la Gaspésie Inc. | Non-repayable contribution of $101,466 / Total investment of $202,920 The project involves finalizing the implementation of a traceability system for all (100%) of lobster landings in Gaspésie, thereby ensuring their source. This RPPSG initiated process is part of the preliminary work required for Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) ecocertification. |
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| Regroupement des pêcheurs professionnels du sud de la Gaspésie Inc. | Non-repayable contribution of $53,935 / Total investment of $89,893 The project involves developing a 100% organic alternative lobster bait made from marine products processing residues. Lobster fishing uses large quantities of pelagic fish, such as herring and mackerel, as natural bait to attract the shellfish into the traps. |
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| ACPG Innovation | Non-repayable contribution of $92,900 / Total investment of $429,962 The project involves integrating a monitoring system to a trawl net to reduce its ecological footprint, and carrying out the preliminary R&D at sea necessary to renew Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) ecocertification for northern shrimp. Obtained in 2008, this certification has enabled the Quebec shrimp fishery to stand out and meet international demand for sustainable fishery products. |
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| City of Percé | Non-repayable contribution of $54,482 / Total investment of $141,170 The project involves developing the Coin-du-Banc sector's tourism offering for cruise ship passengers taking the Gaspé-Percé tourist train. The project includes developing a hospitality area, building walkways alongside the track for transshipments and tourist traffic, acquiring furniture and interpretation panels, landscaping and repairing the seawall. |
Summary
| Total number of projects: | 15 |
| Total contribution from Canada Economic Development: | $17,858,589 |
| Total investment generated by these projects: | $43,549,430 |
Contact Information:
Canada Economic Development
514-283-8818
media@dec-ced.gc.ca
Genevieve Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
514-496-1282
genevieve.sicard@tc.gc.ca