SAINTE-ANNE-DES-MONTS, Que. — The Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) is contributing $428,746 for the Centre local de développement (CLD) de la Haute-Gaspésie to develop a year-round tourism offering to promote the Haute-Gaspésie region as a dynamic and environmentally friendly destination.
Through this CED support, provided under the Tourism Relief Fund, the CLD de la Haute- Gaspésie will optimize access to the territory by improving trails and river access, adding various all-season lodgings, improving hunting and fishing activities, supporting emerging sports activities and adding telecommunications infrastructure, among other improvements.
“I am delighted with the CED support announced for the CLD de la Haute-Gaspésie and its project to draw people together,” says the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, member of Parliament forGaspésie‒Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine and Minister of National Revenue. “I have no doubt that all tourism industry players will mobilize to enable the MRC de la Haute-Gaspésie to develop its full potential as a unique, diverse destination. I am proud of our people as they come together to develop our beautiful region.”
“The Haute-Gaspésie region has a wealth of resources, scenery and people,” says Simon Deschênes, vice-president, CLD de la Haute-Gaspésie and Mayor of Sainte-Anne-des-Monts. “With this plan, we hope to generate tens, if not hundreds, of millions of dollars in economic spin-offs. We want to reduce the unemployment rate, increase employment, mitigate the effects of a seasonal economy, provide better-quality jobs, increase the region’s drawing power and improve our demographic profile.”
“Tourism is one of the sectors in Canada most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to support this sector during this difficult period,” says the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance. “We will also continue to make safety our top priority and ensure businesses receive the assistance they need to quickly regain their footing and prosper. The Tourism Relief Fund will help businesses adapt, make improvements and be ready to welcome back their guests. It also feeds into a broader strategy to help the sector withstand the pandemic, recover and grow. The Canadian economy will not fully recover until our tourism sector recovers.”
