Foundation news
2009-10-14 - The 22nd Annual Rues principales Foundation Conference honours 10 Québec municipalities
The 22nd edition of the annual Rues principales Foundation Conference, attended by Mr. Laurent Lessard, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupation, was held under the theme of “Living downtown: Solutions that pay off!”. It was an opportunity to address the many issues involved with the well thought-out development and occupation of the hearts of municipalities, as well as the solutions that the municipalities apply to address the problematics of sustainable development.
More than 430 participants from around a hundred municipalities in Québec and New Brunswick took part in discussions and attended a series of demonstrations of practices that have placed the revival of the central neighbourhoods at the core of the dynamic involved in municipal development.
The day was plentiful in examples of initiatives taken to ensure a better diversity of housing in the hearts of municipalities, in order to encourage social mix and to respond to the needs of multiple layers of society. The participants were also able to measure the importance of offering a quality overall environment to ensure that the downtown area remains a lively and attractive area, one that is characterized as much for well-planned and inviting public spaces as for a diversified commercial supply. A number of tools were also presented to political and economic decision-makers in order to promote the harmonious development and planning of central neighbourhoods, to guide commercial development so that it provides a quality local supply and, in so doing, helps retain the neighbourhoods’ residents. Solutions were also put forward to preserve the architectural appeal of the central neighbourhoods, which plays a decisive role in the neighbourhoods’ attraction capacity.
During the banquet, 10 municipalities were rewarded for their efforts in revitalization and sustainable development. Specifically, the seven Achievement Awards and the SHQ Award of Excellence were presented to the following municipalities: Matane for the “Organization” award, sponsored by the Réseau des SADC du Québec, Drummondville for the “Economic Development” award sponsored by the Ministère du développement économique, de l’Innovation et de l’Exportation, Sherbrooke (Borough of Fleurimont) for the “Animation and Promotion” award sponsored by the Rues principales Foundation, Val-des-Monts for the “Physical Improvements” award, sponsored by Hydro-Québec, Montmagny for the “Heritage Enhancement” award, sponsored by the Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine, Lévis (Vieux-Lévis sector) for the “Sustainability” award, sponsored by the Rues principales Foundation, and Plessisville for the SHQ Award of Excellence sponsored by the Société d’habitation du Québec. In addition, three new municipalities obtained “The 4Aces of Concerted and Sustainable Development” certification: Caraquet (NB), Coaticook and Saguenay (Borough of Chicoutimi).