Backgrounder - Immediate Action to Build Infrastructure
29 January 2009
Ottawa, Ontario
Roads, bridges, highways, tunnels, rail links, broadband Internet access, border crossings, colleges and universities are all among the projects that will benefit from the $12 billion in infrastructure funding contained in the Harper Government's Economic Action Plan.
"When we invest in better roads, bridges and community facilities, we create Canadian jobs today and improve our quality of life and competitiveness for decades to come," said Prime Minister Stephen Harper. "Investing in these projects provides real action and real stimulus right away, and is one of the smartest ways governments can help protect Canadians from the global recession."
To highlight the kind of building projects that will be funded under the Harper Government's Economic Action Plan, the Prime Minister and Transport Minister John Baird met with workers at the construction site for the federally funded Ottawa Congress Centre project.
The Prime Minister and Transport Minister also met with Michael Atkinson, President of the Canadian Construction Association, while on site.
"Our industry is pleased the government recognized that the best and quickest way to get Canadians back to work is through investments in infrastructure – every billion dollars invested means more than 11,500 jobs," said Mr. Atkinson.
"These building projects will help create jobs and encourage economic activity in every province and every region," concluded the Prime Minister. "The projects will serve as a lasting reminder that, even in a time of global economic challenge, Canadians will always look to the future with confidence."
