Ottawa, Ontario, September 5, 2008 - "Last November, Prime Minister Harper launched our Government's $33-billion Building Canada infrastructure plan," s said Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Minister Lawrence Cannon. "And today, just ten months later, the Government of Canada and the province of Manitoba signed the final of 13 federal-provincial/territorial framework agreements."
"Our Government has acted with leadership to implement an infrastructure plan that is helping provinces, territories and communities of all sizes modernize the infrastructure that contributes to a stronger economy, a cleaner environment and more prosperous communities. And we've done this in a way that respects jurisdiction and is in the spirit of open federalism."
"With Building Canada up and running in every province and territory, we have met a key commitment t o the people of Canada and to the municipalities in which they live. In addition to signing the framework agreements, we've also launched the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund and extended Gas Tax Fund agreements through until 2014 in most jurisdictions. This all helps Building Canada make a real contribution to modernizing Canada's infrastructure."
"Building Canada provides an unprecedented $33-billion investment in public infrastructure through un til 2014. In delivering this plan, our government is collaborating with provinces, territories and municipalities to give Canadians results - cleaner water, cleaner air, and faster commutes. We're investing in national priorities like water treatment, sew age treatment, transit improvements, green energy, and roads, highways and trade corridors. And we'll report to Canadians on the results of the investments."
"We've already announced many projects that will be achieved through Buildi ng Canada, including:
- the Place du Quartier des spectacles in Montréal;
- IPSCO Place in Regina;
- water and wastewater in Charlo, New Brunswick, Brooklyn, Nova Scotia and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island;
- improvements to Highway 75 in Manitoba;
- the Kakisa River Bridge Replacement Project in the Northwest Territories;
- new convention centres in Ottawa and Fredericton; and,
- upgrades to sections of the Trans-Canada Highway in British Columbia, Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador."
"Building Canada responds to consultations with provinces and territories and I thank those governments for their collaboration in implementing the plan. We also consulted the municipal sector, including the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. This flexible suite of programs provides municipalities with new, long -term, predictable infrastructure funding. The collective investment should generate some $60 billion for modern infrastructure - a real shot in the arm for Canada and the economy."
"And because we recognize the need for substantial and long-term, predictable infrastructure investments, the Government announced in Budget 2008 that the federal Gas Tax Fund will be permanent at $2 billion per year as of 2014. This gives municipalities a solid basis and financial certainty in planning t heir infrastructure priorities."
For more information, please contact:
Catherine Loubier
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
613-991-0700
Infrastr ucture Canada
613-948-1148
The Government of Canada's $33-billion Building Canada infrastructure plan will pr ovide funding for strategic investments in projects designed to produce results in three areas of national importance: a growing economy, a cleaner environment and strong and prosperous communities. In particular, the $8.8-billion Building Canada Fund wil l help provinces, territories and municipalities to address urgent public infrastructure priorities. Following are the categories and some project examples under the Building Canada Fund.
A strong economy is essentia l to maintaining Canada's competitiveness and long-term prosperity for Canadians -- whether they live in large cities or small communities. Modern, efficient and reliable infrastructure supports commerce, creates employment opportunities and attract s skilled knowledge workers, boosting our cities' growth and competitiveness. Building Canada will contribute to increased trade, efficient movement of goods and people, and economic growth through funding priorities such as:
- Core National Highway System
- Short-Sea Shipping
- Shortline Railways
- Local and Regional Airports
- Connectivity and Broadband; and
- Tourism
Some projects announce d already include:
- upgrades to sections of the Trans-Canada Highway in British Columbia, Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador;
- a new container terminal in the Port of Prince Rupert, British Columbia;
- imp rovements to Highway 75 in Manitoba;
- new convention centres in Ottawa and Fredericton; and,
- wider broadband service in northern and rural communities in Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba.
Protecting and promoting a cleaner environment is one of the three key priorities under Building Canada. That's because a healthy and sustainable environment is fundamental to the health and prosperity of Canadians. Through better infrastructure planning and construction, we can reduce the impact of human activity and help protect and improve the environment -- focusing on issues that matter to Canadians such as clean air, better transit, safe drinking water and renewable energy. Building Canada aims to improve the state of our environment by investing in priorities such as:
- Wastewater Infrastructure
- Public Transit
- Green Energy
- Solid Waste Management
Some projects announced already include:
- new and improved wastewater facilities in Charlo, New Brunswick and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island;
- expanded light rail transit systems in Calgary and Edmonton; a nd
- new hybrid diesel buses in Toronto.
Canada's national strengths are a function of the strengths of its communities - whether large or small, urban or rural. Infrastruct ure matters to Canadians and positively impacts life in our communities. Better bridges and roads help keep Canadians safe. Treatment plants supply the clean water we drink keeping our families healthy. Brownfields can become productive land in cities wh ile culture and sport facilities contribute to vibrant communities. Modern infrastructure improves overall well-being, making our communities healthy, prosperous and safe. Through Building Canada, communities of all sizes will benefit from invest ments in priorities such as:
- Drinking Water
- Disaster Mitigation
- Brownfield Redevelopment
- Local Roads
- Sport
- Culture
Some projects announced alrea dy include:
- drinking water in Brooklyn Nova Scotia and Orillia, Ontario;
- the Place du Quartier des spectacles in Montréal;
- the expansion of PEPS at the University of Laval;
- the Mainla nd Common Centre in Halifax;
- the Kakisa Bridge Replacement Project in the Northwest Territories;
- flood mitigation in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia; and
- IPSCO Place in Regina.
