Canada-Quebec Partnership

$458,300 grant for Spect'Art Rimouski Agreement in principle for the Coopérative de solidarité Paradis

Rimouski, Quebec, November 6, 2009 – The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, and Christine St-Pierre, Minister of Culture, Communications and the Status of Women, today announced work to install a motorized orchestra pit in the Desjardins-Telus concert hall. The Government of Canada has set aside $153,000 for the project, and the Government of Quebec $305,000.

“Projects such as the installation of a motorized orchestra pit in the Desjardins-Telus concert hall in Rimouski are a good example of the positive impact our Infrastructure Stimulus Fund has on the lives of Quebecers,” said Mr Paradis. "Today's announcement demonstrates our government's commitment to work with the Province of Quebec to speed up the start of infrastructure work and stimulate the economy. In Quebec, and in Canada as a whole, our government is helping to maintain and create jobs so as to relaunch our economy and thus improve the quality of life of Canadians through sound, reliable, state-of-the-art infrastructure."

“For four years, this cultural venue has been a source of pride for people in the region, and particularly the Spect'Art Rimouski proponent. The opening of the Desjardins-Telus concert hall has increased cultural opportunities and consolidated Rimouski's role as the centre for culture and the arts in the region,” said Christine St-Pierre.

The motorized orchestra pit, included in the original plans for the Desjardins-Telus concert hall, will make life easier for the technicians, who have to change the configuration of the pit manually between productions, and will thus reduce operating costs.

The Minister also announced an agreement in principle between the two governments to relocate the Coopérative de solidarité Paradis in Rimouski. This will enable the organization to develop its plans further, particularly with regard to seeking real property solutions.

The Government of Quebec contribution will be allocated under the Quebec Infrastructure Plan, announced in November 2007. It should be noted that the cultural component of the Plan provides for $1.2 billion in funding up to 2013. Together with the contribution of partners, the total amount is estimated at over $2 billion and will enable the Department to accommodate a greater number of projects under its programs and to promote, as it has done today with its announcement, the outreach of cities and regions throughout the province.

The Government of Canada's contribution comes from the new $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which is part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, announced in the budget of January 2009. The Government of Canada has earmarked $936 million in the fund for projects in Quebec.

For further information about infrastructure investment in Quebec, consult the following Web sites: www.creatingjobs.gc.ca and www.infrastructures.gouv.qc.ca.

Sources:

Valérie Rodrigue
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Culture,
Communications
and the Status of Women
418-380-2310