Minister of State Bernier Attends Sod-Turning Ceremony for Future Rio Tinto Alcan Montreal Planetarium

MONTRÉAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Aug. 25, 2011) - The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism), today participated in the sod-turning ceremony for the future Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium in Montréal. He took this opportunity to recall, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, that the Government of Canada has granted $9 million in non-repayable funding to the City of Montréal to support the relocation of the Montréal Planetarium and the upgrading of its equipment. This project is being carried out in partnership with the Government of Quebec, the City of Montréal and the enterprise Rio Tinto Alcan.

"The Government of Canada is proud to support the construction of the Rio Tinto Alcan Montréal Planetarium, an attraction that is sure to promote Canadian knowledge and know-how on the international stage," noted Minister of State Bernier. "The development of Montréal is an important issue for our government. As such, the Planetarium's relocation to Montréal's east end will have a structuring effect, especially with respect to the significant economic benefits it will generate."

The Planetarium's arrival at this new site will create a synergy with the Botanical Garden, the Insectarium and the Biodôme, and complete the Space for Life natural science complex. Attendance rates at all four museums are expected to increase substantially.

The mission of the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium is to invite visitors to learn about and appreciate nature and natural sciences and enrich their knowledge, particularly in the field of astronomy.

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