Minister LeBlanc Returns to Quebec
After ending his visit prematurely in April due to adverse weather, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc returned to Quebec on June 9, 2017. The Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard was thus able to keep his promise and complete his Quebec tour.
Stop in the Quebec capitale
The Minister first went to Québec, where he met with Department employees to acknowledge the excellence of their work and dedication to making the Canadian Coast Guard and Fisheries and Oceans Canada important players in maintaining the health of our oceans. Taking advantage of his visit to the Quebec capital, he also discussed several issues of mutual interest with his provincial counterparts, namely Laurent Lessard, Quebec Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and Luc Blanchette, Quebec Minister of Forests, Wildlife and Parks. Minister LeBlanc's priority continues to be that of achieving an effective level of intergovernmental collaboration in fisheries and aquaculture and in the protection of fisheries and oceans.
Canadian Coast Guard management also took advantage of Minister LeBlanc's visit to organize a meeting with maritime industry representatives. This improved the Minister's understanding of the issues related to navigation in the region, particularly that of icebreaking.
Visit to Maurice Lamontagne Institute
On the same day, the Minister visited the Maurice Lamontagne Institute (MLI) in Mont-Joli, accompanied by Rémi Massé, Member of Parliament for Avignon-La Mitis-Matane-Matapédia. Mr. LeBlanc took an interest in the employees who proudly shared their research and technology developments. The Minister and Mr. Massé took the opportunity to meet with a few regional stakeholders involved in marine technologies and sciences. This meeting was well timed because Rimouski will host the 8th BioMarine International Convention from October 1st to 3rd, 2017.
The Minister ended his visit to the region by announcing, in front of a full house, a $27-million investment to improve research infrastructure at MLI. And that's not counting the hiring of 40 new employees, which will enable the teams to continue conducting their scientific research for many years.
Minister LeBlanc is extremely proud of all the work completed in the region by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Canadian Coast Guard employees. For their part, they greatly appreciated the fact that the Minister paid them a visit. MLI employees were particularly pleased about the Minister's presence a few days before the launch of activities to mark the Institute's 30th anniversary. This is a great sign of appreciation that paves the way for a new era of innovation and modernization.
Lucie Milot
Regional Director General's Office
Minister LeBlanc took advantage of his visit to Québec to meet with his provincial counterparts, Minister Laurent Lessard (left) and Minister Luc Blanchette (right)
In Québec, the Minister visited Department employees and highlighted the excellence of their work and their dedication
In Mont-Joli, the Minister announced a $27-million investment for the Maurice Lamontagne Institute
