The Canada Economic Development agency plans to invest $36 million to further develop international cruise business in Quebec along the St. Lawrence and Saguenay rivers over the next three years. This initiative is intended to renovate port facilities to accommodate the berthing of high-tonnage cruise ships and at enhancing tourist attractions to increase the appeal of Quebec ports of call for cruise ship passengers. The latest allocation is in addition to $10 million awarded to the city of Saguenay in February 2007 to develop a port of call at Baie des Ha! Ha! The other ports targeted by this initiative are Baie-Comeau, Saguenay, Sept-&Icirc;les, Havre-Saint-Pierre, Gasp&eacute;sie and &Icirc;les-de-la-Madeleine.<br /><br />&quot;The international cruise industry is experiencing significant growth,&quot; said Jean-Pierre Blackburn, minister of labour and Canada Economic Development. &quot;It is important that we take steps now to harness travelers' mounting interest in the St. Lawrence Seaway as a prime tourist stop. New world-class ports of call for cruise ships will help strengthen and diversify the economy of these targeted regions. Over the long range, these improved port facilities will mean a greater number of foreign tourists visiting our regions and, consequently, a higher level of tourism revenues.&quot;<br /><br />This initiative is expected to generate considerable spin-offs for Quebec by the year 2014, including a rise in international cruise ship spending to reach a total of $223 million, the creation and maintenance of some 2,800 jobs and the injection of about a billion dollars into the Quebec economy. &quot;With this initiative, the targeted cities and communities will be able to develop the kind of community infrastructure that will help them strengthen and build on their socio-economic development,&quot; Blackburn said. For more information, visit http://news.gc.ca. 