(Originally published in TOURISM)
When journalists find themselves on remote assignments needing someone who knows their way around to arrange meetings and travel details, that person is known as a "fixer." In his own field, as the federal government's Commissioner, Laurent Tremblay is, indeed, a fixer.
"When Québec City saw the 2008 anniversary coming," says Tremblay, "it established in 2000 the Société du 400e anniversaire de Québec (the non-profit corporation tasked with organizing the 400th birthday celebrations in that city) to produce the commemorative celebrations. In the meantime, the Federal government developed a national commemoration policy with a five-year plan to commemorate a series of anniversaries reflecting Canada's heritage and values (starting with the founding of Acadia in 2004, the centennial celebrations of Alberta and Saskatchewan as Canadian provinces in 2005, and Québec 400th).
"This event is of national and international significance," he continues, "not only because Québec is an inherent part of Canada's linguistic diversity, it is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. This first Canadian city occupies a very dear place in the heart of many Canadians because it was the main port of entry for immigrants to Canada, from its establishment until WWI. In 2008, Canada will have a chance to celebrate the first permanent French colony in North America and the first encounters between First Nations and European explorers, which are at the root of the intercultural dialogue upon which modern Canada is built."
With this in mind, Tremblay sees a number of ways by which the Quebec 2008 celebrations can resonate across the country. “There are some existing relationships between Québec City and other Canadian regions. Québec is twinned with Calgary; the Mayor has attended the Stampede, and Calgary’s Mayor has attended the "Carnaval" in Québec. We expect this special relationship to intensify as commemoration activities unfold.
"Keep in mind also that the 400th anniversary is an important anniversary for Canada’s Francophone and Acadian Communities and this will be an incentive to build partnerships with these communities. For instance, the Circuit Champlain, an Ontario-based tourism organization, wishes to organize a canoe journey on historic rivers to Québec City from different points associated with Quebec’s founder. Their objective is to arrive at Quebec for the anniversary date on July 3rd, 2008.
"A great gathering is in the works. There will be homecoming events held across the Québec region by root families, calling on their descendants to return and celebrate their shared heritage, and a number of major events will also take place during the year. The 49th International Eucharistic Congress will take place at Québec, and that likely will result in a Papal visit. The IIHF World Hockey Championship will be jointly hosted by Québec and Halifax that year, with the final game being played in Québec. The Sommet de la Francophonie will be hosted in the city during the fall. The 'gathering' theme imparts an inclusive character to the celebrations, with everybody commemorating - in their own way - their contribution to the past, current and future development of Canadian society through Québec 2008."
Québec 2008 will have a major economic impact. Tremblay says a number of major conventions and events are lining up, and points to the results of last year's Desjardins Marketing Stratégique study showing the celebrations are expected to generate $120.5 million in tourism revenues alone. (The event is projected to add $263 million to the Canadian GDP, of which $213 million will be in the province of Quebec.)
But, in Tremblay’s view, one of the richest legacies of Quebec 2008 will be the way in which the St. Lawrence River will be handed back to the City’s citizens and visitors. "In 1908, to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Québec City, the Federal Government handed over the Plains of Abraham as a legacy to the people. A century later - for the 400th anniversary - and with the participation of the Québec City Port Authority and the Parks Canada Agency, four sites will become accessible to the public: Beauport Bay, a location already being used for aquatic activities; Brown Cove near the Plains of Abraham, used for centuries for shipbuilding activities; Pointe-à-Carcy (a cruise ship terminal); and the Bassin Louise, now being redeveloped to make way for Espace 400e, the official site of Québec 2008 celebrations. For this legacy the federal government is investing $70 million and the province is providing $70 million for the Promenade Champlain, along the St-Lawrence River near the four legacy sites".
Tremblay cherishes his appointment to Québec 2008 as federal commissioner. "It is a very special retirement project for me," he says, "and it will be a special time for everyone in Canada, raising awareness about Québec around the world and encouraging people from all over to visit the city and discover other parts of Canada while they are here."
When journalists find themselves on remote assignments needing someone who knows their way around to arrange meetings and travel details, that person is known as a "fixer." In his own field, as the federal government's Commissioner, Laurent Tremblay is, indeed, a fixer.
"When Québec City saw the 2008 anniversary coming," says Tremblay, "it established in 2000 the Société du 400e anniversaire de Québec (the non-profit corporation tasked with organizing the 400th birthday celebrations in that city) to produce the commemorative celebrations. In the meantime, the Federal government developed a national commemoration policy with a five-year plan to commemorate a series of anniversaries reflecting Canada's heritage and values (starting with the founding of Acadia in 2004, the centennial celebrations of Alberta and Saskatchewan as Canadian provinces in 2005, and Québec 400th).
"This event is of national and international significance," he continues, "not only because Québec is an inherent part of Canada's linguistic diversity, it is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. This first Canadian city occupies a very dear place in the heart of many Canadians because it was the main port of entry for immigrants to Canada, from its establishment until WWI. In 2008, Canada will have a chance to celebrate the first permanent French colony in North America and the first encounters between First Nations and European explorers, which are at the root of the intercultural dialogue upon which modern Canada is built."
With this in mind, Tremblay sees a number of ways by which the Quebec 2008 celebrations can resonate across the country. “There are some existing relationships between Québec City and other Canadian regions. Québec is twinned with Calgary; the Mayor has attended the Stampede, and Calgary’s Mayor has attended the "Carnaval" in Québec. We expect this special relationship to intensify as commemoration activities unfold.
"Keep in mind also that the 400th anniversary is an important anniversary for Canada’s Francophone and Acadian Communities and this will be an incentive to build partnerships with these communities. For instance, the Circuit Champlain, an Ontario-based tourism organization, wishes to organize a canoe journey on historic rivers to Québec City from different points associated with Quebec’s founder. Their objective is to arrive at Quebec for the anniversary date on July 3rd, 2008.
"A great gathering is in the works. There will be homecoming events held across the Québec region by root families, calling on their descendants to return and celebrate their shared heritage, and a number of major events will also take place during the year. The 49th International Eucharistic Congress will take place at Québec, and that likely will result in a Papal visit. The IIHF World Hockey Championship will be jointly hosted by Québec and Halifax that year, with the final game being played in Québec. The Sommet de la Francophonie will be hosted in the city during the fall. The 'gathering' theme imparts an inclusive character to the celebrations, with everybody commemorating - in their own way - their contribution to the past, current and future development of Canadian society through Québec 2008."
Québec 2008 will have a major economic impact. Tremblay says a number of major conventions and events are lining up, and points to the results of last year's Desjardins Marketing Stratégique study showing the celebrations are expected to generate $120.5 million in tourism revenues alone. (The event is projected to add $263 million to the Canadian GDP, of which $213 million will be in the province of Quebec.)
But, in Tremblay’s view, one of the richest legacies of Quebec 2008 will be the way in which the St. Lawrence River will be handed back to the City’s citizens and visitors. "In 1908, to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Québec City, the Federal Government handed over the Plains of Abraham as a legacy to the people. A century later - for the 400th anniversary - and with the participation of the Québec City Port Authority and the Parks Canada Agency, four sites will become accessible to the public: Beauport Bay, a location already being used for aquatic activities; Brown Cove near the Plains of Abraham, used for centuries for shipbuilding activities; Pointe-à-Carcy (a cruise ship terminal); and the Bassin Louise, now being redeveloped to make way for Espace 400e, the official site of Québec 2008 celebrations. For this legacy the federal government is investing $70 million and the province is providing $70 million for the Promenade Champlain, along the St-Lawrence River near the four legacy sites".
Tremblay cherishes his appointment to Québec 2008 as federal commissioner. "It is a very special retirement project for me," he says, "and it will be a special time for everyone in Canada, raising awareness about Québec around the world and encouraging people from all over to visit the city and discover other parts of Canada while they are here."
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