Charlene Eden

During his visit to the Gaspesie, Municipal Affairs, Environment and Water Minister Andre Boisclair announced that the Quebec government would invest in two infrastructure projects in Gaspé and Mont-Saint-Pierre. Mr. Boisclair also confirmed that the government will contribute to a project for la Maison de la Famille Parenfant de Gaspé.

According to Mr. Boisclair, the provincial government will contribute over $1.1 million to a project that will see the town of Gaspé replace aqueducts as well as the outdated sewer system in the area known as La Petite-France. The current equipment services approximately 30 homes and a number of apartment blocks. The total cost of the project is over $2.2 million, thus the town of Gaspé will kick in the other half.

so that the clientele won’ t have to move from one sector to another,” she said. When asked where the new location would be, Miss Pipon would only say that they are currently in negotiations for a particular site.

Marc Minville hopes to be the next Liberal candidate

Charlene Eden

Marc Minville, Murdochville’s current mayor, recently announced that he would run for the Liberal nomination in the Gaspé riding. Mr. Minville believes that his experience, knowledge of the area and contacts will enable him to effectively represent the citizens in Gaspé County. The Liberal nomination will be held on February 16^th.

When asked why people should vote for him, Mr. Minville put forth a number of reasons. “In Gaspe County, I have a lot of experience. I am very occupied with the social aspects of the regions and I am well known in the county and throughout Quebec. I have many contacts in the region because of the work that I have done. I am a candidate who will put forth the point of view of the citizens of Gaspe and I will let people know my point of view. I will defend the interests of the citizens in the County,” he said.

President of the Chandler Port Corporation not worried about the future

Gilles Gagné

CHANDLER - The president of the Chandler Port Corporation, Mayor Claude Cyr, is confident for the future of the wharf, at a time when the Québec government is implementing a classification of the ports throughout the province. The port of Chandler received the status of a "local port".

According to Mayor Cyr, the port can count on two callings for the future, including one that is currently taking place at the wharf, with the construction of the ramp that will enable the CTMA Vacancier, a cruise and freight ship linking Montreal and the Magdalen Islands, to dock at Chandler. The other opportunity for the port is related to the reopening of the Gaspesia paper mill, in the summer of 2004.

What Claude Cyr actually fears, is the possible endless negotiation sessions that could occur between the provincial and the federal governments regarding the property of the port. The wharf belongs to Ottawa, and Québec is the potential "buyer", or future owner, if the federal government decides to part with it. Mayor Cyr thinks that long negotiations could paralyze the development of new projects for the port, or even hamper existing activities.