VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Residents and businesses of Vancouver and the surrounding areas will benefit from an improved and expanded Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre. This is thanks to funding from the Government of Canada, the Government of British Columbia and Tourism Vancouver.The Honourable David Anderson, Minister of the Environment, together with the Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of State (Infrastructure), the Honourable John Les, British Columbia Minister of Small Business and Economic Development and Mr. Terry Bubb, Chair of Tourism Vancouver, today confirmed their joint commitment towards the construction of the new facility for the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre. The partners announced that details of the joint contribution agreement have been successfully negotiated. Tourism Vancouver will contribute $90 million and the federal and provincial governments will each contribute up to $222.5 million.“The improved Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre will generate economic benefits in the province through the creation of thousands of new jobs and a significant increase in tourism and new visitors to the city,” said Minister Anderson. “The Government of Canada is pleased to be part of this project, which will ensure that Vancouver’s international reputation as a destination of choice gets a well-deserved boost. This project is also demonstrating leadership in green building design and technology. It is striving to meet the highest environmental standards for convention centres worldwide.” “This funding agreement under the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund is the result of a successful partnership between our two governments and is a prime example of how infrastructure investments reflect locally established priorities and contribute to sustainable community development,” explained Minister Scott. “This agreement demonstrates how the “New Deal for Communities” is a real deal for Vancouver.”“The Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre has long been one of this province’s top infrastructure priorities,” said Minister Les. “The project confirmed today will have a positive impact on this community as it will surely increase tourism, boost the economy and create new jobs.” The funding will allow the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre to increase exhibit, meeting and ballroom capacities from 12,400 square metres to 47,870 square metres creating an unparalleled convention facility in Western Canada. The expanded facility will be available for use during the 2010 Olympics. The project will include the construction of new facilities on the Burrard Landing Site, west of Canada Place, the renovation of existing leased facilities within Canada Place and the linking of the two sites to form an integrated convention and exhibition centre. Western Economic Diversification Canada will administer the federal contribution.“We are very excited about the changes that will be seen here in the next few years,” added Vancouver Tourism Chair Terry Bubb. “We will officially be on a level playing field with some of the best convention facilities in North America and we look forward to welcoming the world to our great city.”Through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF), the Government of Canada works with provincial, territorial and municipal governments, as well as with the private sector, to meet strategic infrastructure needs throughout the country. The CSIF supports large-scale strategic infrastructure projects that improve quality of life and further sustainable growth. The fund also supports the Government of Canada’s ‘new deal’ for communities that will help make Canada a world leader in developing vibrant, creative and prosperous cities and communities. Since 1994, the Government of Canada has contributed $12 billion to over 20,000 infrastructure projects in Canada’s communities. This has helped leverage over $30 billion from all partners. In British Columbia, the Government of Canada has committed to invest a total of $1.25 billion since 1994 for a wide variety of infrastructure projects that provide a better quality of life and support sustainable development. These infrastructure projects have included or will include water, wastewater, solid waste, municipal energy improvements; public transit and cultural, tourism and recreational infrastructure; broadband connectivity; local roads; national highways; and safe and efficient borders. Contacts:Mary Johnson Office of Minister Scott (613) 952-1684 Infrastructure Canada Communications and Promotion (613) 948-1148 Norman Stowe Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Project (604) 646 3556 Web sites: www.vccep.bc.ca www.infrastructure.gc.ca www.wd.gc.caBACKGROUNDERVancouver Convention and Exhibition CentreThe Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia have finalized details on federal and provincial investments towards the expansion of the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre (VCEC). The total cost of the expansion is estimated to be $495 million. Tourism Vancouver will contribute $90 million. The federal and provincial governments will contribute the remaining $202.5 million on a matching, cost-shared basis. Costs for a connector to the current Convention Centre and upgrades to Canada Place will be funded through the total federal and provincial contributions of up to $222.5 million each. The Government of Canada's contribution will be made through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund and be administered in British Columbia by Western Economic Diversification Canada. Expansion of the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre (VCEC) involves: Constructing new facilities on Burrard Landing to the west of Canada Place; Linking the two sites to form an integrated convention and exhibition centre; and Renovating the existing leased convention facilities at Canada Place.The existing convention centre is located in the Canada Place development, which is owned by the Canada Place Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Vancouver Port Authority. Both the Vancouver Port Authority and Canada Place Corporation are corporations, but also act as federal Crown agents in specific instances as outlined in the Canada Marine Act.The Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Project Limited (VCCEP) will strive to meet the highest environmental standards for convention centres worldwide. The design, construction and operation of the convention centre will employ leading-edge technology to improve energy performance, keep indoor air quality high, use recycled and local materials in construction, develop an innovative green roof, and use water efficient landscaping to support the marine habitat along Coal Harbour. Since 1995, there has been continued industry support for an expanded convention centre. As a result, the VCEC Task Force was formed in October 1999. It is comprised of BC Pavillion Corporation (PavCo), Tourism Vancouver, The Vancouver Board of Trade and the Vancouver Hotel Association.The project is expected to generate over $1.5 billion in economic benefit to industry and all levels of government, as well as over 6,700 person-years of employment during construction and 7,500 full-time jobs throughout the province once the expanded facility is operational, thus maintaining Canada Place as Canada's west coast icon.
