Backgrounder

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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Cité de l'Or historic site

February 25, 2011
Val-d'Or, Quebec

Located in Val-d'Or, on the site of the former Lamaque mine, one of the most prolific gold mines of the 20th century, Cité de l'Or is a historic and tourist site that testifies to the key role the mining industry played in the development of the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region.

One of the region's biggest tourist attractions, Cité de l'Or plunges visitors into the heart of the mining industry. In addition to providing an interpretive tour of the Bourlamaque mining village and a historic log house depicting life in the past, since 1995, Cité de l'Or has also taken visitors up to 91 metres below ground for a guided tour of the mine shafts.

The federal investment of $1,106,448 over three years will be used among other things for the set-up of the Cité de l'Or reception building to make it accessible year round, the addition of a permanent exhibition and improvements to outdoor areas. As well, the underground tour route will undergo improvements to enable tourists to get a feel for the work done by the miners of the past, through simulations. The project will also involve international marketing activities to promote Cité de l'Or abroad.

The federal funding is provided through the Community Diversification Program of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, whose aim is to help the regions to maintain and develop their economic activity base.

By investing in Cité de l'Or, the Government of Canada is helping to improve the region's tourist appeal and raise the profile of the mining industry, a key sector of Canada's economy, while helping to preserve a site of tremendous historic and heritage value.

The work at Cité de l'Or will be carried out by the Corporation du Village minier de Bourlamaque, whose mission is to protect, enhance and raise the profile of the Cité de l'Or historic, heritage and tourist sites.

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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