Mr. Speaker, the Montreal Botanical Garden recently inaugurated its new facilities, built at a cost of $22.3 million.
The work done includes the renovation of the administrative buildings, the construction of a new complex for visitors, and the refitting of the laboratories. The new additions and the modernized existing facilities will definitely increase the potential of the botanical garden and the interest that it generates among tourists, in Quebec and abroad.
Last year, the garden welcomed over one million visitors and the economic spinoffs greatly helped Montreal's economy. The Canadian government invested $5.7 million in this partnership initiative with the Quebec government, the City of Montreal and the Université de Montréal.
This shows once again that such partnerships between the governments of Canada and Quebec are the best way to ensure the economic recovery of the Montreal region.