Minister Cannon consults with Pontiac mayors on the eve of the new parliamentary session

September 01, 2009

Ottawa - The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister responsible for the Outaouais region and MP for Pontiac, is touring to meet Mayors of the Pontiac constituency to discuss jobs, the economy and local priorities on the eve of the of the new Parliament session to open September 14th.

These consultations will provide everyone with the opportunity to express themselves on measures to undertake to protect the region's economy and advance its recovery. They follow those undertaken in the Pontiac sector earlier this month, when the Minister met with Mr. Albert Armstrong, Mayor of Shawville and Mr. Albert Davis, Mayor of Bryson. This pre-parliamentary consultation is part of a series of discussions following the launch of Canada’s Economic Action Plan in Budget 2009. The Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, also met with regional stakeholders Pontiac August 14th, to take the pulse of the public and local elected officials.

"As MP for Pontiac, my priority has always been to ensure that all citizens of the Pontiac and the Outaouais have access to the necessary services to ensure prosperity for the region", said Minister Cannon. "The Government of Canada is committed to maintain and create jobs to help with the economic recovery and to build the Outaouais, together. I am eager to hear the comments from the Mayors on jobs, the economy, their local priorities and ideas on the eve of the new parliamentary session."

Visiting today the Vallée-de-la-Gatineau sector, where he announced funding for the Bois-Franc Country Festival, the Minister met with Mr. Armand Hubert, Mayor of Bois-Franc; Mr. Gerard Coulombe, Mayor of Grand-Remous; Mr. Neil Gagnon, Mayor Egan-Sud; Mr. Jean-Paul Barbe , Mayor of Déléage; Mr. Germain St-Amour, Mayor Aumond; and, Mr. Fernand Lyrette, Mayor of Montcerf-Lytton.

"We have been able in recent months to deliver dozens of projects that create hundreds of jobs and stimulate economic recovery in the Outaouais. For example, at Louisiana-Pacific, in Bois-Francs, more than 70 jobs have been maintained through the federal program of shared time. Furthermore, the extension of Highway 5 to Wakefield, a joint investment of 115 million with the Quebec Government, will create hundreds of jobs in the Pontiac. It is the largest infrastructure project in the Outaouais", said Minister Cannon. We are now acting with unprecedented measures to support families and workers."