Quebec’s Minister of Culture and Communication, Mrs. Line Beauchamp, and the city’s mayor, Mr. Jean-Paul L’Allier, have signed a triennial agreement for cultural development worth $20.9 million. The money will go towards supporting the rapid development of Quebec’s arts, heritage and culture infrastructure. This terms of the agreement focus on the period from now up to 2008, during which many projects will be fast-tracked to completion. Mrs. Line Beauchamp said: "Since 1979, the Ministry of Culture and Communications and the City of Quebec have been working together and following the signing of this agreement our partnership will certainly continue. In the long term, more than $137 million is being invested to make our capital a jewel of the country’s heritage crown and a major centre for creativity and cultural exchange. This cultural vitality, which contributes significantly to the reputation of the city here and abroad, will also help to bring about positive economic consequences through, for example, increased tourism.” Approximately one third of this budget will be devoted to the restoration and refurbishment of heritage listed buildings. $6 million has been earmarked for production and broadcasting projects aimed at developing new audiences. $600, 000 has also been set aside to promote cultural activity in libraries and $1.2 million is reserved specifically to provide support for museums. For further information (in French), CLICK HERE.