The governments of Canada and Quebec support construction of new harbour master's office at the Centre de villégiature Dam-en-Terre in Alma

ALMA, QC, Aug. 7, 2018 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Quebec recognize that tourism infrastructure plays a key role in developing dynamic prosperous communities.

Richard Hébert, Member of Parliament for Lac-Saint-Jean, and Serge Simard, Member of the National Assembly for Dubuc, and Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier for the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Region today announced that the governments of Canada and Quebec will each invest over $603,000 to construct a new harbour master's office at the Centre de villégiature Dam-en-Terre resort in Alma.

This support comes from the New Building Canada Fund, Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component—Small Communities Fund. The City of Alma will also invest more than $603,000, bringing the total government and municipal investment to over 1.8 million.

This initiative will create a welcoming environment frequently visited by Alma residents, visitors of the resort, and users of the bicycle path connected to the véloroute des Bleuets. This new building will meet the needs of recreational boaters and nautical activity enthusiast in the summer, as well as snowmobilers in the winter.

Quotes

"Government support for tourism infrastructure plays an important role in encouraging local economic growth. The Centre de villégiature at the Dam-en-Terre resort will help accommodate a greater number of amateur water sport enthusiasts and will help increase the appeal of Lac-Saint-Jean by introducing a new attraction. The jobs that will be created as a result of the construction of the new harbour master's office is also great news for the region."

Richard Hébert, Member of Parliament for Lac-Saint-Jean, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"I am very pleased to support the City of Alma in this important infrastructure project that will enhance the City's appeal, positioning it in the tourism and recreation industry. Every year, this destination welcomes about 130,000 visitors and creates 13 permanent jobs, as well as 60 seasonal jobs. Based on the City's estimates, this new harbour master's office will increase the number of visitors by 10-15%, which will boost the regional economy. It's with great pleasure that I present this financial contribution from the Government of Quebec."

Serge Simard, MNA for Dubuc, and Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier for the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Region, on behalf of Julie Boulet, Minister of Tourism, Minister Responsible for the Mauricie Region

"This announcement is the result of a long-term effort by the City of Alma. In fact, the municipal council has set itself an objective to sustainably strengthen the positioning of the Centre de villégiature Dam-en-Terre by improving its services. This will showcase the resort's strengths, including cruises, direct access to water, quality of accommodation and hospitality infrastructure. The construction of the new harbour master's office is a big part of the Centre de villégiature Dam-en-Terre's vision to create a national and international nautical destination centre. This new facility will improve the experience for all those who venture to discover Lac-Saint-Jean, from recreational boaters to adventure tourism enthusiasts and cyclists in particular."

Marc Asselin, Mayor of Alma

Quick Facts

• The Small Communities Fund is a federal‒provincial program coordinated by Infrastructure Canada in partnership with the provinces and territories. In Quebec, the Fund is administered by the Quebec Department of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy. The goal of this program is to provide financial support to Canadian municipalities with fewer than 100,000 residents to develop infrastructure that enhances their cultural, sports, recreational and tourism assets or safeguards public assets.
• The Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities. $25.3 billion of this funding will support social infrastructure in Canadian communities.
• Quebec's 2018-2028 Infrastructure Plan calls for nearly $7.3 billion in investments in municipal infrastructure under the Quebec Department of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy. When combined with contributions from the Government of Canada and municipalities, this means over $14.3 billion will be invested in municipal infrastructure in Quebec over this period.

Associated Links

Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/about-invest-apropos-eng.html

Federal investments in infrastructure projects in Quebec: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/index-eng.html

Email: infc.media.infc@canada.ca 
Twitter: @INFC_eng 
Website: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada