Montréal, November 28, 2008 – The Québec Federation of Labour (QFL), the Solidarity Fund QFL (the “Fund”) and the City of Terrebonne are proud to announce that a park will be inaugurated in June 2009 in honour of Louis Laberge, who profoundly influenced the labour movement in Québec. This new multi-generational park will offer something for everyone, including an area devoted to seniors.
At the helm of the QFL for over 27 years, Louis Laberge is known as one of Québec’s great leaders of the 20th century. In 1983, he became the founding president of the Solidarity Fund QFL and chaired its Board until 1993. Because Mr. Laberge spent most of his life in the Lanaudière region, the City of Terrebonne chose to celebrate his achievements and commitment by naming a park after him. The official opening of the Louis Laberge Park in June 2009 will cap the Fund’s 25th anniversary activities.
“I consider it a tremendous privilege to pay homage to a great man like Louis Laberge, who is a source of inspiration to all Quebecers. I commend the City of Terrebonne for naming a park in his memory, particularly one with such an avant-garde landscape and architectural concept that will bring together young and old alike. It symbolizes Mr. Laberge’s tremendous ingenuity and highlights the importance of solidarity between workers, individuals and generations,” stated René Roy, General Secretary of the QFL and Secretary of the Fund’s Board of Directors.
A creative conceptLocated in Terrebonne East at the corner of René-Sauvageau and De la Sœur Marie-Rose streets, not far from the Centre Hospitalier Pierre-Le-Gardeur, the park began construction in 2006 and already has a play area for toddlers close to a daycare, a skating rink and a soccer field for kids and teens. By April 2009, it will also have a leisure and fitness area especially for seniors, the first of its kind in Québec.
“Family is everything in Terrebonne. This multi-generational park is a brand new concept in Québec and what makes it special is that it will bridge the gap between generations. We are happy to see this project come to fruition and are proud to see Mr. Laberge remembered in this way. I would like to thank the Solidarity Fund QFL for its involvement in and contribution to this wonderful project,” said Terrebonne Mayor Jean-Marc Robitaille.
The project will cost over $800,000. The area reserved for seniors will cost about $400,000 and will be shared by the City of Terrebonne and the Solidarity Fund QFL.
About the Solidarity Fund QFL With net assets of $7.3 billion as at May 31, 2008, the Solidarity Fund QFL is a development capital company that through its RRSP channels the savings of Quebecers into investments in all sectors of the economy to help create and maintain jobs and to further Québec's economic growth. The Fund is a partner, either directly or through its network members, in 1,881 companies. It currently has more than 575,000 shareholders and has helped, on its own or with other financial partners, to create, maintain and protect over 126,000 jobs. For more information, visit www.fondsftq.com.
Note: The telephone number provided below is for the exclusive use of journalists and other media representatives.
Sources : Josée Lagacé
Senior Advisor, Press Relations and Communications
Fonds de solidarité FTQ
Telephone : 514 850-4835
Email : jlagace@fondsftq.com
Isabelle Gareau
Fédération des travailleurs et des travailleuses du Québec (FTQ)
Téléphone : 514 383-8000
Courriel : igareau@ftq.qc.ca
Isabelle Lewis
Directrice adjointe de cabinet
Ville de Terrebonne
Téléphone : 450 961-2001 poste 1008
Courriel : isabelle.lewis@ville.terrebonne.qc.ca