The mayor of Grande-Rivière, Gino Cyr, indicates that the file is considered complete by Quebec. Our project is well perceived
commented the mayor, in an interview on the program Bon Pied, bonne heures.
A recent meeting with some representatives of the interdepartmental committee led to the creation of two committees on which the representatives of various departments, including those of the Economy, Fisheries and the Environment, will sit.
These committees will see to coordinating the various regulations emanating from each ministry as well as the actions resulting from their respective responsibilities. These committees will focus more specifically on the upgrading or construction of infrastructure as well as the living environment of the future innovation zone.
The mayor of Gino Cyr is optimistic about the outcome of these steps. They want, he says, to make sure that all the ministries fully understand the challenges related to the area. It’s a good sign, the government is freeing up additional resources to support us.
The other encouraging sign, according to Mr. Cyr, is that Premier François Legault mentioned the project during his recent visit to Gaspésie and Bas-Saint-Laurent.
Sharing knowledge and expertise
If it materializes, the project would make the Grande-Rivière and Sainte-Thérèse-de-Gaspé sector an innovation zone centered on the various aspects of the exploitation of marine resources, whether in terms of , transformation or valorization of products.
The Marine Biotechnology Research Center in Rimouski is one of the partners who will work within the future zone, if it materializes (archives).
Photo: Radio-Canada / Benoit Belanger
In Rimouski, the zone would specialize in connected technologies and marine biotechnologies.
It is a real development potential for processing, culture, research and development as well as the development of marine biotechnologies.
argues Gino Cyr.
Concretely, in the MRC of Rocher-Percé, the project would create a crossroads of innovation that would gravitate around the Merinov research center, a marine bio-food park and an industrial motel.
The project also includes the municipalization of the Grande-Rivière wintering park, as well as its upgrading and that of the pumping station.
These infrastructures, emphasizes Gino Cyr, are essential to the growth of existing businesses and will allow the area to distinguish itself internationally. He gives the example of the emissary at sea. The water intake, he says, is essential if we want to develop aquaculture.
This example illustrates well the role of the committees that Quebec wants to set up, continues the mayor who explains that this emissary belongs to the MAPAQbut that it is the Ministry of the Environment which requires and verifies whether it complies with the standards.
Quebec City’s investments for the creation of the Blue Economy Innovation Zone could amount to $160 million. Gino Cyr indicates that this could generate 233 million in private investment.
The project is expected as much from the side of the MRC from Rocher-Percé than from Rimouski. The announcements could be made soon, believes the mayor of Grande-Rivière.
Several other innovation zone projects are underway in Quebec. For the moment, only two projects have been announced by the government.
Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca