Mr. Speaker, I have some good news, very good news, for the Gaspé region.
On December 13, the Minister of National Revenue and Secretary of State responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec announced that the Conseil de développement économique de Murdochville will be receiving a contribution of $377,000 for four prefeasibility studies aimed at determining the most promising areas for investment.
This is one of a series of measures undertaken by the Government of Canada in the past 24 months within the region. Some $28 million have been injected into programs specifically designed for the Gaspé—Îles-de-la-Madeleine region.
I should point out as well that an envelope of $20 million is still available for productive projects.
This is just one more fine example of the Government of Canada's concrete support to the process of restructuring the economy of the Gaspé—Îles-de-la-Madeleine region.