Canada—Quebec partnership creates jobs and stimulates la pêche (Wakefield) economy

August 10, 2009

Wakefield (Quebec) - The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister responsible for the Outaouais region and MP for Pontiac, the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, and the member of the National Assembly for Gatineau and Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, Ms. Stéphanie Vallée, are pleased to announce today that the Wakefield-La Pêche Community Centre Cooperative will benefit from a joint federal-provincial financial support for the Wakefield-La Pêche Community Centre. This project is an excellent example of the commitment of both the Government of Canada and Quebec to stimulate the Québec economy through the job
creation in our communities, and to improve our communities.

This project will benefit the residents of Wakefield and the entire La Pêche Municipality. Its construction will create immediate and long term jobs. The new infrastructure will provide public facilities and green space where youth, seniors, families and community groups will enjoy recreational and cultural activities. The multifunctional center will allow citizens of Wakefield-La Pêche and from the region, to improve their quality of life by encouraging sport and physical activity in everyday life and, by promoting the creation and showcase of cultural products. The Center will house a library, a youth center and will facilitate special events and performing arts.

"Our goal is to accelerate the construction activity and of the flow of funds, to stimulate the economy and create jobs. The Government of Canada is a proud partner of the Government of Quebec to deliver the Wakefield-La Pêche Community Center, "said Minister Cannon. This new recreational and cultural complex, which implementation is accelerated by the Economic Action Plan of Canada, and possible thanks to unprecedented investments in Quebec’s infrastructure, is a proof that we can work successfully in partnership to support Outaouais communities.

“The Québec Government is determined to maintain and create jobs to help with economic recovery. Along with the Government of Canada, we are deploying all the necessary efforts to provide municipalities with sustainable infrastructure responding to the population’s needs for today and tomorrow, said Stéphanie Vallée, MNA for Gatineau. I am delighted by the positive impact that the Wakefield-La Pêche Community Center project will have on the quality of life of residents of Wakefield and the region”.

The governments of Canada and Quebec have announced a joint investment of over $5.6 million for the project. The federal and provincial contributions each amount to $1.866 733 million dollars to flow by 2011. The Cooperative will pay the balance of the total eligible costs, an amount up to $1.866 733 million.

This project is one of 24 projects across the province of Quebec that start with a joint investment of federal and provincial governments for $ 130 million. In all, including the contributions of applicants, the total investment in infrastructure improvements in this round of financing exceeds $ 180 million in Quebec. The governments of Canada and Quebec have taken steps to accelerate and deliver the funding quickly to infrastructure projects targeted in the 2009 construction season.