SLEMON PARK, Prince Edward Island - Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Joe McGuire, and Shawn Murphy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, together with Premier Pat Binns and Elmer MacFadyen, Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs, today announced a five-year infrastructure governance framework that will ensure a focused approach to the management of three infrastructure funds on Prince Edward Island. As well, the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) agreement was signed concurrently as the first concrete action of this enhanced management approach. The Government of Canada and the Province of PEI, in cooperation with Island communities, will identify, plan and implement infrastructure projects to be delivered through the three flagship programs: the MRIF, the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF) and the transfer of federal gas tax revenues under the New Deal for Cities and Communities. This “one-committee, three-program” governance framework for the Canada-PEI MRIF Agreement, CSIF and the federal gas tax investments, recognizes the need to take into account local factors and conditions while addressing national and local infrastructure priorities. “Modern infrastructure plays a critical role in the development of healthy, sustainable and vibrant communities, evidenced by the success of previous infrastructure agreements,” said Minister McGuire. “The Government of Canada understands the unique needs of each individual province and is pleased to play a vital role in this partnership initiative because it not only recognizes Prince Edward Island’s concerns, it works to address them. Through this framework, Island communities will continue to grow and thrive. This is evidence of the New Deal for Cities and Communities at work.” “The Government of Prince Edward Island is proud to invest in the long term development and future sustainability of communities across the province,” said Premier Pat Binns. “These investments and the joint management accord signal the beginning of an era of unprecedented municipal infrastructure development in Prince Edward Island.” The $121.5 million in infrastructure funds to be managed under the governance framework and invested in Prince Edward Island communities over the next five years are broken down as follows: Canada-PEI MRIF - $54 million, representing equal investments by the three levels of government; CSIF - $30 million, representing a $15 million investment by the Government of Canada and a $15 million investment by the Government of Prince Edward Island; and Federal gas tax funding - $37.5 million invested by the Government of Canada over five years. The vision for the Canada-PEI infrastructure governance framework is to invest a minimum of 40 percent of funds from the Canada-PEI MRIF Agreement towards green projects in order to promote sustainable development in the province. Priorities for the CSIF funding are under discussion but will likely focus on national highway system designated routes, including Highway 2, and urban development and tourism infrastructure; while the federal gas tax funds will support environmentally sustainable municipal infrastructure projects. “Investing in infrastructure is a priority for the Government of Canada, and for our partners,” said Parliamentary Secretary Murphy. “When we build new relationships that support sustainable infrastructure, we help to ensure that good roads and bridges, water and wastewater treatment facilities and community facilities are accessible to all communities.” “These infrastructure programs ensure communities, big and small, can afford the infrastructure required to meet the growing needs of residents, effectively preparing communities for future development and ongoing prosperity,” said Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs, the Honourable Elmer MacFadyen. “These programs are an excellent example of all three levels of government cooperating for the betterment of our cities, towns and communities,” said Stan Campbell, President of the Federation of Prince Edward Island Municipalities. The governance framework will ensure an effective shared vision for the overall administration, governance and general policy guidelines for infrastructure funds in PEI. It recognizes the unique role of the province in supporting roads and bridges and offering services to Islanders, and will ensure that the benefits of these programs are shared across urban and rural, incorporated and unincorporated municipalities on the island. The framework is also a groundbreaking example of how the Government of Canada is delivering the New Deal for Cities and Communities, working with provinces, territories, First Nations and municipalities to support local needs and priorities. For more information about federal and provincial infrastructure initiatives that benefit the communities of Prince Edward Island, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca or www.gov.pe.ca/go.infrastructure -30 - Contacts: Ron Crozier Special Assistant (Communications) Office of the Honourable Joe McGuire Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (902) 888-4150 Jennifer MacLeod Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Government of Prince Edward Island (902) 368-5829 Carla Ventin Office of Minister of State Godfrey Infrastructure Canada (613) 948-2688 Infrastructure Canada Communications and Promotion (613) 948-1148
