Fund Espace Hubert‑Reeves
Petitioners ask the Government of Canada to fund completion of Espace Hubert‑Reeves in La Malbaie, recognize its national importance, and collaborate with provincial, municipal and private partners to meet deadlines. The government responds Budget 2025 signaled support via the Build Communities Strong Fund and proposed up to $7.9M, though program details remain to be finalized.
Why we would sign this petition
- Securing federal funds would allow completion of the centre and protect existing provincial, municipal and private commitments that depend on timely federal support.
- The project would expand science outreach, environmental education and regional cultural development, aligning with Canada's stated commitments in those areas.
- It builds on Charlevoix's UNESCO recognition and honors Hubert Reeves, potentially boosting local tourism and the region's scientific profile.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Federal funds are limited and Budget/program details are not finalized; committing now may be premature or divert resources from higher-priority needs.
- Federal support does not guarantee the project will meet deadlines or resolve non-federal risks, so funding may not ensure timely completion.
- There may be more cost-effective or regionally broader ways to support science outreach and development than direct funding for a single centre.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the Government of Canada Whereas: The Charlevoix region, in Quebec, has been recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1988 and is currently being reviewed for a UNESCO Global Geopark designation, owing to its geological and ecological significance, including the remarkable site of the Charlevoix astrobleme, formed by a meteorite impact 400 million years ago; The Espace Hubert-Reeves, located in La Malbaie, is a major science communication, environmental education and cultural and community development project that has been under development for over 10 years, brought about by engaged citizens and institutional partners; This project has already garnered over 65% of its estimated total budget of $20 million through contributions from provincial, municipal and private organizations, which have confirmed their support, subject to the securing of federal funding; The funding application to the federal government has been pending for more than a year, and the approaching deadlines threaten the future of the project if the missing funds are not awarded in time; The project pays tribute to astrophysicist Hubert Reeves, a key figure in Canadian and francophone science, whose publications and contributions have played a huge role in awakening environmental awareness and inspiring many to become scientists across multiple generations. We, the undersigned, constituents of Montmorency—Charlevoix, call upon the Government of Canada: to grant federal funding as soon as possible to ensure the proposed Espace Hubert-Reeves in La Malbaie, Quebec, can be completed; to recognize the national importance of this scientific, educational, cultural and environmental initiative, which is consistent with Canada’s commitments to scientific outreach, sustainable development and regional promotion; and to work with provincial, municipal and private partners to make the project a reality within the time available and avoid the expiry of the financial commitments already made.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada Signed by Jennifer McKelvie, M.P. The Government of Canada thanks the petitioners for sharing their concerns regarding the Espace Hubert-Reeves in La Malbaie, Quebec. Budget 2025 signaled the federal government’s intention to support the Espace Hubert-Reeves initiative through the forthcoming Build Communities Strong Fund. While specific program details and funding allocations are still to be determined, the Government of Canada recognizes the importance of this project to the community. Information on other projects funded under Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada’s contribution programs is available through the Housing and Infrastructure Project Map and Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada’s Open Government Portal. Response by the Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature Signed by The Honourable Julie Dabrusin Although Environment and Climate Change Canada is not involved with any funding decisions related to Espace Hubert-Reeves in La Malbaie, on November 8, the former Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages on behalf of the Minister of Finance and National Revenue announced proposed support of up to $7.9 million for Espace Hubert-Reeves.