Government of Canada Funds New Pedestrian Route in Heart of City of Lac-Megantic

LAC-MÉGANTIC, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - June 13, 2014) - Canada Economic Development

Acting on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the regions of Quebec, the Honourable Christian Paradis, Member of Parliament for Mégantic-L'Érable and Minister of International Development and Minister for La Francophonie, announces that the City of Lac-Mégantic has been granted financial assistance to provide concrete support for the economic recovery of Lac-Mégantic and help the city, businesses and organizations affected by the events.

Totalling $690,000, the funding has been awarded in the form of two non-repayable financial contributions under Component 1, Public Infrastructure Projects, of the Lac-Mégantic Economic Recovery Initiative (LMERI), administered by Canada Economic Development.

Quick facts

• The first investment, in the amount of $495,000, will allow the City of Lac-Mégantic, through its Commission des arts, de la culture et du patrimoine, to proceed with the establishment of a pedestrian route in the downtown core for local residents and visitors. The route will feature panel exhibitions, street furnishings and rest areas.
• The second contribution, in the amount of $195,000, will support the design, creation and installation of the first 15 sculptures to be exhibited as part of the pathway animation. During this first phase, the public will be able to watch 15 professional sculptors create their works live during Lac-Mégantic's Journées de la culture.
• In less than one year, nearly $155 million has been awarded by the Government of Canada to help the community, businesses and organizations of Lac-Mégantic.

Quotes

"Our government has taken concrete measures to support the reconstruction and economic recovery of Lac-Mégantic, and the establishment of a pedestrian route in the heart of the city is tangible proof of our determination in this regard."

Christian Paradis, MP for Mégantic-L'Érable, Minister of International Development and Minister for the Francophonie

"This pathway animation is an important step in Lac-Mégantic's recovery, for our community has a duty to remember its history. The physical spaces in Lac-Mégantic have much changed in recent months. A new downtown is coming to life and we are offering new gathering places. Pedestrian route activities will bring the community together, to remember and to collect their thoughts."

Colette Roy Laroche, Mayor of Lac-Mégantic

Related links

City of Lac-Mégantic Web site: www.ville.lac-megantic.qc.ca (in French only)

For more on the Lac-Mégantic Economic Recovery Initiative: http://www.dec-ced.gc.ca/eng/funding/initiative/megantic/index.html

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