Québec City, Quebec, September 3, 2008 - The Governments of Canada and Quebec today announced the signing of an infrastructure Framework Agreement worth nearly $4 billion through to 2014 under Building Canada, the Gover rnment of Canada's long-term infrastructure plan. The investments made through the Framework Agreement support the 'Québec Infrastructures Plan' announced by the Government of Quebec on October 11, 2007.
"Today, ou r Government is keeping its promise. The signing of this Canada-Quebec Framework Agreement on Infrastructure, under our Building Canada plan, is great news for Quebeckers because it will fund major infrastructure projects that will strengthen Que bec's economy and its communities, while contributing to the safety of infrastructure and to a cleaner environment," said the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "Our Government is demonstra ting again that collaboration with the Government of Quebec, in a spirit of open federalism, provides concrete results for families and taxpayers."
"The federal financing will support the 'Québec Infrastructure Plan' and the $30 billion of investments over five years that I announced in my 2007 Budget," said Monique Jérôme-Forget, Quebec Minister of Finance, Minister of Government Services, Minister Responsible for Government Administration an d Chair of the Conseil du Trésor. "Consequently, a significant proportion of the new federal funding will be used to maintain and improve existing infrastructure. This is one of my priorities. In addition, we have agreed on a new and more rig ourous approach to allocate available funds to new projects – public announcements will only take place once contribution agreements have been signed by the two Governments."
"When we consider the money - $4 billion over sev en years, this is the most significant bilateral agreement ever signed between Canada and Quebec," added Benoit Pelletier, Minister of Canadian Intergovernmental Affairs, Aboriginal Affairs, Francophones within Canada, Reform of Democratic Instituti ons and Access to Information. "Ensuring Quebec's interests is a priority for our Government. We are proud to have an agreement that respects the authorities, orientations and priorities of Quebec."
"Through Buildi ng Canada, our Government will contribute funding to many projects that will provide real benefits to the Québec City area – such as clean water, transit systems, cultural infrastructure, highways and green energy," said the Honour able Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women and Minister for La Francophonie.
The framework agreement will also provide joint funding to respond to, amongst other things, the infrastructure needs of Quebec mun icipalities.
Under the agreement, nearly $4 billion in federal Building Canada funds will be allocated under three programs: the Building Canada Fund; base funding; and the Gas Tax Fund.
Several projects have been recog nized in the agreement as immediate priorities for joint funding. They include phase two of improvements to highways 73 and 175, phase two of improvements to the Robert-Cliche autoroute (A-73), the expansion of PEPS at the University of Laval, Montreal's Quartier des spectacles cultural hub, the expansion of both the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and of the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec as well as the completion of autoroute 30.
Federal funding for these projects will be authorized if they meet the requirements laid out in the agreement and the consequent contribution agreements as well as any necessary environmental assessments.
Through its unprecedented $33-billion Building Canada infrastru cture plan, the federal government is providing long-term, stable and predictable funding to help meet infrastructure needs across Canada. Building Canada supports a stronger, safer and better country.
Read the Framework Agreement >>
More information on the Building Canada plan is available at www.buildingcanada. gc.ca.
More information on the Quebec infrastructure plan is available at www.tresor.gouv.qc.ca/fr/infrastructure/ (available in French only).
For more inf ormation, please contact:
Catherine Loubier
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Catherine Poulin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Finance, Minister of Government Services, Minister responsible for Government Administration, and Chair of the Conseil du trésor
418-643-5270
Infrastructu re Canada
613-948-1148
Backgrounder
Canada–Quebec Framework Agreement on Infrastructure under the Building Canada Plan
On Septembe r 3, 2008, the governments of Canada and Quebec signed the Canada–Quebec Framework Agreement on Infrastructure valued at almost $4 billion over seven years (2007-2014) under the Building Canada plan. This is a new infrastru cture funding from the federal government.
By including previous programs not yet depleted, the federal government will deliver a total guaranteed infrastructure spending in Quebec of over $4.8 billion by 2014.
Allocation Table (2007-2014) for Quebec
| Framework Agreement Funding |
Amounts
($ million) |
| Building Canada Fund (new funding) |
|
- Communities Component : Projects in communities with populations of fewer than 100,000
|
$210 |
- Large Urban Centres Component: Projects in municipalities of 100,000 inhabitants or more
|
$200 |
- Major Projects Component: Public infrastructure projects with a national or regional impact
|
$1,529.2 |
- Research and Planning Component: Infrastructure research and planning
|
$14.25 |
| Total funding from the Building Canada Fund |
$1,953.45 |
| Provincial/Territorial Base Fund (new funding) |
$175 |
| Gas Tax Funding (new funding from 2010-2014) |
$1,854.2 |
| Total Framework Agreement Funding (new funding) |
$3,982.65 |
| Previous programs not yet depleted |
|
| Gas Tax Funding (existing to 2009) |
$874.75 |
Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund Top-Up
(new funding announced in 2007)
|
$39.82 |
Total Guaranteed Federal Funding to Quebec under the
Building Canada Plan |
$4,897.22 |
In addition, Quebec will have the opportunity to benefit from two other funds: the Public–Private Partnership Fund ($1.25 billion nationally), and the Gateways and Border Crossings Fund ($2.1 billion nationally), w hich targets trade corridors.
Finally, in addition to the above-mentioned funding, all Quebec municipalities will receive the full GST rebate.
Projects Eligible for Priority Funding
Expansion of Laval University's physical education and sports building (PEPS):
The expansion of Laval University's PEPS sports and physical education facility is identified for a contribution equivalent to th e amount provided by the Government of Quebec, for a maximum funding of $37.5 million. The Government of Quebec and Québec City are confirming funding for the project in the amount of $37.5 million from the Government of Quebec, and $10 million fro m Québec City. The total joint funding committed for PEPS is $85 million.
Improvements to Highways 73/175 – Phase 2:
Phase 2 of the project to improve Highways 73/175 will be considered for funding u p to a maximum of $112.5 million from the federal government.
This funding completes Phase 1, which had been jointly funded by the governments of Canada and Quebec for a total of $262.5 million.
Improvements to the Robert Cliche Highway (Highway 73) – Phase 2:
Phase 2 of the project to improve the Robert Cliche Highway (Highway 73) will be considered for funding from the federal government equivalent to 50% of eligible costs, up to a maximum of $75 million.
This funding completes Phase 1, which had been jointly funded by the governments of Canada and Quebec for a total of $51.5 million.
Federal financial support for these projects is conditional upon the initiatives m eeting all applicable federal eligibility requirements, all the environmental assessments required under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, and the signing of contribution agreements required for the projects.
Part 2 of the western section of highway 30:
The Government of Canada is pleased to be contributing financially to the 42-kilometre western section of Highway 30 project, between Châteauguay and Vaudreuil-Dorion. This strategic proje ct will reduce congestion and improve the flow of commercial trade in Quebec and the rest of Canada.
To date, the Government of Canada has contributed $10.5 million for a series of preliminary studies and analyses, for part 1 of the Canada-Que bec agreement. Part 1 will conclude shortly with the signature of a contract between the government of Quebec and the private sector partner. Upon the signing of the contract, the Government of Canada will finalize the implementation of an agreement betwe en Quebec and Canada for part 2 of the construction of this important highway project. The federal government is proud to announce that this agreement will represent one of the most important financial contributions in Canada for transportation infrastruc ture.
