Government of Canada Provides Financial Support to Les Piles Village Forestier

GRANDES-PILES, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - June 28, 2011) - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, today announced the awarding of $150,000 in non-repayable funding to Les Piles Village Forestier for the construction of a new building and renovation of certain existing installations.

Minister Lebel, who was unable to be present for the official announcement, expressed his delight that this project, which will necessitate an overall investment of $240,000, is now going to be carried out. "The Government of Canada is proud to support the development of the Village Forestier. With the creation of a new tourism concept and the addition of another pavilion, the organization will now be able to accommodate larger groups and allow them to experience what day-to-day life was like for the lumberjacks of yesteryear," commented Minister Lebel.

Situated on a prime location near the banks of Saint-Maurice River, Les Piles Village Forestier, formerly known as the Musée du Bûcheron, was built over 30 years ago. Featuring themed buildings that recreate a typical lumber village from the early 1900s, this attraction showcases diverse elements of the Mauricie region's rich historical and cultural heritage.

The financial assistance from Canada Economic Development will be used to build a log pavilion, renovate existing lodging facilities, erect three "prospector" tents and develop promotional tools and the organization's Web site. Participation in tourism shows is also planned.

This government contribution has been granted through the Temporary Initiative for the Strengthening of Quebec's Forest Economies (TISQFE). In force since June 2010, this initiative is aimed at helping communities affected by the forest crisis diversify their economies to secure their growth and create and maintain employment. Its goal is also to support small and medium-sized enterprises and organizations in these communities in order to ensure their survival and sustainable development.

This measure is one of several put in place by the Government of Canada in the past months to counteract the effects of the forest crisis. Others include, for example, the $1 billion granted to the Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program to help enterprises carry out environmentally-friendly projects and the $230 million invested, in collaboration with the Government of Quebec, for silvicultural work and the restoration of bridges and culverts on multi-use forest roads. Workers are also benefiting from their fair share of support, with the Government of Canada introducing some of the most generous measures in history to help them through the economic crisis.

For more on Les Piles Village Forestier, visit www.lespiles.ca

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