16 October 2009
Toronto, Ontario
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that the Government of Canada and the City of Toronto will work together to fight the recession, create jobs and improve Toronto's infrastructure by making sweeping improvements to the Toronto Reference Library. The Prime Minister was joined by Toronto Mayor David Miller to announce the project.
"For decades, the Toronto Reference Library has been an important resource for millions of visitors of all ages," said the Prime Minister. "I am pleased that, through Canada's Economic Action Plan, we will ensure that the library can meet the needs of future generations while providing new jobs and stimulus to Toronto today."
By improving one of Toronto's largest libraries, the project will not only benefit the more than one million users from across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) who currently enjoy the facility, but also increase annual visit rates by up to 40 per cent. The project will modernize the building's appearance, improve the building's energy efficiency, provide new event space and create additional computer workstations to deliver better support for library visitors.
"Our government is proud to invest in Toronto," said the Prime Minister. "Through our partnership with the City on this project, and the many others across the city, we are helping to get shovels in the ground and creating jobs."
In September, the Harper Government announced over 500 other local Infrastructure Stimulus Fund projects in partnership with the City of Toronto. They include upgrades to local roads, public transit and community centres.
