Nelson Sergerie, LJI

Cruise Association is receiving funding from the federal government to continue its activities for the next four years, including the development of winter cruises. 

Canada Economic Development will provide $1,860,000 to the organization, awarded by the Minister of Public Services and Procurement, Jean-Yves Duclos, taking advantage of the visit of the first winter cruise aboard the Commandant Charcot to the Port of Quebec City. The vessel had stopped in Gaspé on January 21. 

A first non-refundable installment of $960,000 is part of the renewal of the association’s support. This funding will cover a period of four years, and will allow the organization to support businesses in developing and structuring the tourism offering and marketing outside Quebec, in collaboration with the Quebec Ministry of Tourism, the Quebec Tourism Industry Alliance and ecosystem partners. 

The second non-refundable portion, totalling $900,000, will help the association promote a new winter cruise offer and improve the cruise tourism offering in Quebec. 

This funding will support a dozen tourism businesses in the regions, including five cruise stopovers, four of which are in the regions of the Magdalen Islands, Gaspé, Sept-Îles and Saguenay, in addition to the Quebec stopover, which serves as the port of embarkation and disembarkation for cruise passengers. 

With this support, local businesses and tourism organizations throughout the province will benefit from financial assistance to enhance their tourism products and experiences, helping to attract more visitors to the regions. 

“The support from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions has allowed us to support stopover organizations so that they can equip themselves with essential equipment and infrastructure to improve the offering and ensure the comfort and safety of reception staff operating in winter conditions. The renewal of our agreement will also allow us to continue to support companies in the sector for the development of cruises in Quebec,” commented René Trépanier, General Manager of Croisières du Saint-Laurent. 

Gaspé is scheduled to receive four more stops by the Commandant Charcot this winter, bringing a total of approximately 500 passengers for this first experience. If successful, the ship may return to the St. Lawrence in 2027.