Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac, Quebec, March 18, 2019—The governments of Canada and Quebec recognize the importance of having good recreational infrastructure that encourages people to adopt healthy lifestyles and helps make communities vibrant inclusive places to live.
The Honorable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Andrée Laforest, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, confirmed government funding of almost $9.6 million for an arena in the Cabano area, and a community, sports and events centre in the Notre-Dame-du-Lac area.
The Phil Latulippe Arena, which collapsed in April 2017, will be rebuilt to include a rink, seating for some 800 people, team change rooms, a restaurant, a sharpening shop and administrative offices. The new community, sports and events centre will include multi-purpose rooms, an inter-generational space and parking for some 125 vehicles. It will also house a Claude Béchard Highway interpretation centre. Once the work is completed, residents of Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac will be able to enjoy a broader range of sports and recreational activities in spacious modern facilities.
"Local governments know best what their communities need. It was by listening and being flexible that it was possible to amend this Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac project to rebuild the arena and build a community centre. Investing in recreational facilities is vital to fostering healthy lifestyles and helping build dynamic communities."
The Honorable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
"By working together with its municipal partners, our government took concrete steps to improve the quality of life of its citizens. Investing in facilities and the diversification of sports, recreational and cultural services contributes to enhancing the appeal of cities and regions."
Andrée Laforest, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
"Our government wishes to ensure widespread access to sports and recreational infrastructure. It is a way of encouraging people, particularly our youth, to regularly engage in physical activities, which is part of a physically active lifestyle. Above all, we want these facilities to meet people's needs and circumstances. This investment in Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac is a perfect example of that."
Isabelle Charest, Minister for Education and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women
"Our government is attuned to the realities of its regions and proud to contribute to this sports infrastructure project. This necessary investment will allow us to meet the needs of Témiscouata citizens and sport organizations."
Denis Tardif, Member of the National Assembly for Rivière-du-Loup–Témiscouata
"We are delighted with the governments' announcement, as this project will provide additional facilities and forward-looking infrastructure in line with our residents' capacity to pay."
Gaétan Ouellet, Mayor of Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac
Quick facts
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In May 2017, the governments of Canada and Quebec announced funding of approximately $9.6 million to renovate and expand the Jacques Dubé Arena to include a community centre. Although the City of Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac has amended its project since this announcement, government financial assistance has remained unchanged.
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This financial support comes from the New Building Canada Fund, Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component—Small Communities Fund, a federal‒provincial program coordinated by Infrastructure Canada in partnership with the provinces and territories. In Quebec, the Fund is administered by the Quebec Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing. The goal of this program is to provide financial support to Canadian municipalities with fewer than 100,000 residents to develop infrastructure that enhance their cultural, sports, recreational, and tourism assets or safeguard public assets.
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Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities. $25.3 billion of this funding is supporting social infrastructure in Canadian communities.
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Quebec's 2018-2028 Infrastructure Plan calls for nearly $7.3 billion in investments in municipal infrastructure under the Quebec Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing. When combined with contributions from the Government of Canada and municipalities, this means over $14.3 billion will be invested in municipal infrastructure in Quebec over this period.
