Remarks by the Deputy Prime Minister announcing nearly $2.4 million to improve Toronto’s Evergreen Brick Works

August 29, 2024 – Toronto, Ontario

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Introduction

Good morning.

I would like to begin by acknowledging that we are gathered on the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples.

I am delighted to be at Evergreen Brick Works today. And I am really glad to be here with my friend and neighbour MP Julie Dabrusin, and glad to be here with Lois Lindsay (the Chief Program Officer at Evergreen Brick Works) and Jennifer Angel (CEO of Evergreen Brick Works).

I want to start by saying to everyone who works here, you guys did such a great job recovering from the flood. It was not so many weeks ago. Everyone in Toronto was touched by it and I have been so impressed by how fast the Brick Works got back up and running. I’m grateful to you for that because so many of us in this city rely on you. Thanks a lot.

The Brick Works is such an important part of the lives of so many people in our city and that’s why I am glad that our government is able to consistently support you, by making investments to make the Brick Works even better and even more accessible.

I was here just last November to announce a $1.9 million investment by the federal government to rehabilitate the Ravine Centre. And today, I am very happy to announce that the federal government is investing nearly $2.4 million to convert the TD Future Cities Centre—the heritage brick factory that we’re standing in right now—into an energy efficient, sustainable community centre here at the Evergreen Brick Works.

The investment is going to support a renovation that’s going to include new solar panels on the roof that will help power the building. High-efficiency LED lighting is also going to be installed.

Most importantly, this investment is going to help the Brick Works and the great team here to do even more of what you’re doing already—welcome more people from Toronto, from across Ontario, from around the country to experience industrial history, to experience nature, to build a community.

This investment is being made through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program, which aims to improve the places where Canadians live, work, learn, and play. In our last budget, we announced an additional $500 million to support additional projects under this program until 2029.

Today’s announcement is an investment in the Brick Works, an investment in Toronto—a city we live in that we love.

As the local Member of Parliament, I know how important the Brick Works is for so many people, for so many families here in Toronto.

We were talking about how we love walking, we love running, we love riding our bikes in the Brick Works, and see so many people doing that.

There is a wonderful farmers’ market here, which is a great place for families to hang out over the weekend, a great place for small businesses to really produce things that people need.

I am so grateful to everyone who works here and I hope this announcement will not only be an investment to make the Brick Works even better, even more accessible, but also an invitation to people who may not have enjoyed the Brick Works yet to come and hang out. This I can promise you. You will have a great time and go back home feeling sustained and refreshed.

I want to conclude by sharing some positive news about the Canadian economy.

Canada is leading the G7 in achieving a soft landing from the post-pandemic surge in inflation and high interest rates. Here’s what has happened so far:

Canada was the first G7 country to cut interest rates for the first time and was then the first G7 country to cut interest rates for a second time. This is really good news for Canadians. It’s good news for people who have a mortgage that is coming up for renewal. It’s good news for people looking to buy a first home and it is good news for businesses from coast to coast to coast, including the ones that I hope will be doing booming business on Saturday here at the farmers’ market.

Interest rates are falling because inflation has come down. For the past seven months in a row, inflation has been within the Bank of Canada’s target range and last month inflation fell to 2.5 per cent. Wages, meanwhile, have outpaced inflation for 18 months in a row and Canadian workers today on average have larger pay cheques, even accounting for inflation, than they did before the pandemic.

Canada’s GDP is projected to grow at the second-fastest rate in the G7 this year and at the fastest rate in the G7 next year.

For Canadians, taken together, all of this means more jobs, better wages, and a higher standard of living.

Our government is building on Canada’s strong economic and fiscal position to make the investments Canadians need—in housing, in economic growth and in making life more affordable—so that every generation has a fair chance at success. 

By investing in the Brick Works, our government is helping to ensure that this amazing public space gets even better and is open to even more people in Toronto and across the country.

Thank you very much to everyone who works here. I know you love it just as much as those of us who visit it do. I’m inspired by your work, really grateful for your work, and excited to come back when you’ve made it even better.

Thank you.