LAC-BOUCHETTE, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Feb. 24, 2011) - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development and Member of Parliament for Roberval, today announced that employment and economic growth are continuing to advance thanks to Canada's Economic Action Plan. The Minister of State was in Lac-Bouchette today to tour the site and report on the state of advancement of the Saint-Anthony's Hermitage expansion project.

"The economy is our government's main priority, which is why we are continuing to implement Canada's Economic Action Plan," explained Minister of State Lebel. "This Saint-Anthony's Hermitage project has helped create jobs and sustain economic growth and is sure to improve local residents' quality of life so that Canadian families can continue to prosper for years to come."

The Government of Canada is proud of the economic benefits and employment generated by Canada's Economic Action Plan. Minister of State Lebel's visit to Lac-Bouchette is one of many such activities taking place today around the country.

The Minister of State also announced that the non-repayable contribution granted for phase two of the Saint-Anthony's Hermitage expansion project has now been increased by $104,000. The funding, which was originally set at $498,750 and now stands at $602,750, enabled the sanctuary to renovate the site's buildings, build two cottages and set up a wooden observation tower equipped with interpretive panels depicting the life of Saint Anthony.

With the $867,590 in federal assistance already granted for the first phase of the project, Minister of State Lebel noted that the Government of Canada has contributed a total of $1,470,340 in funding to date toward the expansion of Saint-Anthony's Hermitage.

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the economy by stimulating job creation in the regions. Canada's Economic Action Plan is continuing to stimulate employment and economic growth through its support of more than 26,000 job-creating projects, either ongoing or now completed, in all regions of the country. The results are clear: since July 2009, more than 460,000 jobs have been created and the economy has registered growth during five consecutive quarters.

"Economic recovery remains fragile, which is why we need to stay on course and focus our attention on the economy," concluded the Minister of State. 

Canada's Economic Action Plan provides for nearly $16 billion to modernize such public infrastructure as, among other things, highways, bridges, public transit and parks, as well as to help Canadians become homeowners, stimulate the housing construction industry and improve housing conditions throughout the country.

For more on Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

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