No. GC032/07
For release - October 12, 2007
PRINCE GEORGE, BRITISH COLUMBIA — Canada's New Government and the Province of British Columbia will contribute to the twinning of the Simon Fraser Bridge in Prince George, British Columbia. This project will alleviate traffic congestion and enhance the efficient delivery of goods between the Port of Prince Rupert container facility and the soon-to-be-constructed Prince George Inland Container Terminal. The transport of goods via the Highway 97 and 16 corridors will be the primary means of delivering forestry product destined for trade with Asian markets to the Prince George terminal being built by Canadian National Railway.
Canada's New Government will contribute up to $18 million for the project. The funding is part of the estimated total project cost of $42 million and comes from a $44-million federal commitment to fund transportation infrastructure projects through the Mountain Pine Beetle Program under the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative (APGCI).
The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources, and Richard M. Harris, Member of Parliament for Cariboo-Prince George, made the announcement today.
"Canada's New Government is responding to community needs in Prince George by working with the Province and our industry partners to combat the negative impact of the beetle," said MinisterLunn. "We are taking concrete action to improve the quality of life for area residents, enhance safety and maximize the efficiency of these important trade routes."
"The interior of British Columbia is growing at a rapid rate and our infrastructure needs to grow with it," said Mr.Harris. "That's why I am so proud of Canada's New Government for the leadership it has shown in supporting this project. This is a great day for Prince George and a great day for Northern British Columbia."
"Prince George is among several communities that have been affected by Mountain Pine Beetle infestation, which has caused economic and environmental consequences across the province," said the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "This project demonstrates that our government is providing support to affected communities by creating jobs and stimulating economic development."
"The twinning of the Simon Fraser Bridge is an important part of our Cariboo Connector strategy," said Prince George-Mount Robson MLA and Deputy Premier Shirley Bond. "I would like to thank the federal government for their partnership; together we can make a more significant difference for our constituents."
"The timing of this announcement is critical as it should allow the builders to get the pilings into the ground this season," said Prince George-Omineca MLA John Rustad. "I'd like to thank the federal government for delivering this funding and partnering with us on this important project."
"I'm very pleased that the federal government has come forward with this funding to twin the Simon Fraser," said Prince George North MLA Pat Bell. "This is just one part of our government's Asia Pacific Gateway strategy to help move goods to international markets more quickly."
The Government of Canada is committing $200million to deliver the Mountain Pine Beetle Program, a comprehensive response to the mountain pine beetle infestation. Earlier this year the government announced almost $25 million to slow the spread of the beetle into Alberta and protect communities along the eastern B.C. border.
Another $39.6 million was announced in June to support the efforts of British Columbia to combat the spread of the beetle, protect communities and forest resources in affected areas and support long-term economic stability in forest-dependent communities.
The APGCI is a national initiative that will contribute to Canada's economic competitiveness, while also benefiting communities through which increasing volumes of trade must move. In its first eight months, APGCI projects valued at $2.2 billion were announced across all four western provinces, including a federal contribution of almost $800 million.
For more information about Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, please visit www.apgci.gc.ca. A backgrounder with further information is attached.
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Contacts:
Karine WhitePress SecretaryOffice of the Minister of Transport,Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa613-991-0700
Media RelationsTransport Canada, Ottawa613-993-0055
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ASIA-PACIFIC GATEWAY AND CORRIDOR INITIATIVE PROJECTS FUNDED UNDER THE FEDERAL RESPONSE TO THE MOUNTAIN PINE BEETLE INFESTATION
The Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor is a network of transportation infrastructure including B.C.'s Lower Mainland and Prince Rupert ports, their principal road and rail connections stretching across Western Canada and south to the United States, key border crossings, and major Canadian airports. The network serves all of Canada, and the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative (APGCI) aims to take advantage of Canada's strategic location, at the crossroads between the North American marketplace and the booming economies of Asia.
Prime Minister Harper launched the APGCI on October 11, 2006 and Canada's New Government has committed an investment of more than $1 billion to this national initiative. The APGCI brings infrastructure, policy, governance and operational issues together into one integrated, multi-modal, public-private strategy.
Through the Federal Response to the Mountain Pine Beetle Infestation, an investment of $44 million is being made towards APGCI-related surface transportation projects with the goal of enhancing the economic base of impacted communities through economic development and infrastructure projects aimed at encouraging the long-term stability and diversification of economic activity in these communities.
In an era of rapidly moving and integrated global supply chains, policies and investments must consider entire transportation systems-systems that connect, for example, Asia with North America's economic heartland.
The Government of Canada's contributions to APGCI projects will improve the transportation system by:
increasing transportation capacity;
reducing congestion at key locations for Asia-Pacific trade;
improving connections between modes; and
enhancing its efficiency, safety and security.
The federal contribution to this project is conditional on the Province of B.C. providing agreed upon funding and meeting all applicable federal and provincial requirements, including environmental assessments, regulatory approvals, completion of due diligence, contribution agreements and final project approvals.
The Government of Canada's investments will continue to promote increased investments by the private sector and other public sector partners to ensure efficient and seamless connections between the various modes of transportation and improve traffic flows for international cargo.
October 2007
