GC No. 030/07
For release October 11, 2007
SALMON ARM. BRITISH COLUMBIA — Canada's New Government and the Province
of British Columbia will contribute to the upgrade of a section of the Trans-Canada Highway (TCH),
between the communities of Sorrento and Salmon Arm, British Columbia. The upgrade will improve the safety and reliability of a 4.3-kilometre section of the TCH 1, from Hilltop Road to Balmoral Road, and will connect with the recently upgraded section of the TCH between Balmoral
Road and Ford Road. The TCH is the primary highway link for commercial goods between the Lower Mainland's container ports, the Asia-Pacific markets and the rest of Canada.
Canada's New Government and the Province of British Columbia will contribute
up to $8million for the project. The contribution is part of the estimated total project cost of $18 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).
Colin Mayes, Member of Parliament for Okanagan-Shuswap, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Gary Lunn,Minister of Natural Resources.
"Canada's New Government is working with industry to support innovative opportunities for economic growth and future sustainability in pine beetle-impacted communities across B.C.," said Mr. Mayes. "This investment will provide significant relief to road users, enhance the quality of life of neighbouring residents, and accommodate anticipated growth in the movement of goods associated with Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative."
"Salmon Arm 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."
"A safe, reliable transportation network is critical as we continue to diversify our economy here in the Shuswap," said George Abbott, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Shuswap. "These upgrades will improve driver safety and help us to take advantage of the growing trade and tourism opportunities in the B.C. Interior. I'm glad that the Government of Canada is committing to partnering with the provincial government in making this important project a reality."
The Government of Canada is committing $200 million to deliver the Mountain Pine Beetle Program, a comprehensive response to the mountain pine beetle infestation. Earlier this year the Government announced almost $25million 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 also attached.
- 30 -
Contacts:
Karine White
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.
BACKGROUNDER
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 the project is conditional on the Province of B.C. providing agreed 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
