The Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan (EAP) is having a positive impact on the Atlantic economy by helping communities expand, upgrade and renovate community facilities as well as creating jobs for Atlantic Canadians.
More than $85.5 million in federal investments has so far been made in 225 projects throughout the Atlantic region under both the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program (RInC) and the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) - two important measures administered through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).
“Atlantic Canadian workers, their families and businesses hardest hit by the global economic downturn have benefitted greatly from the investments under our Government’s Economic Action Plan,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. “These investments have already created employment and are generating millions of dollars in economic stimulus throughout our region.”
“Our Government has responded with unprecedented urgency, to ensure that EAP funding started flowing as quickly as possible,” said the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State for ACOA. “Together with our provincial, municipal, not-for-profit and private sector partners, we have been able to identify and approve projects large and small that are putting Atlantic Canadians to work now and in the future. The positive impact of CAF and RInC projects on Atlantic Canadian communities has translated into short- term employment opportunities as well as much needed community infrastructure improvements.”
“A perfect example of this immediate impact is the $7 million investment through the CAF Program in a two-year federal / provincial silviculture initiative in Nova Scotia,” added Minister MacKay. “This important initiative has already created hundreds of jobs in a number of forestry-dependent rural communities throughout our province.”
For details on CAF and RInC project eligibility and how to submit an application, please refer to the program backgrounder on ACOA’s website at www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca. For information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
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Media Backgrounder
Since the launch of both the RInC and CAF programs in May 2009, funding has been announced for 72 projects in Nova Scotia representing total investments of more than $26.6 million. The projects benefitted from leveraged funding of $39.1 million from various partners, for a total of $65.7 million in projects throughout the province. Of this total, 65 are currently underway, and three (3) have been completed, with the remaining four to begin by the 2010 construction season.
Under the CAF program, a total of $23.5 million in federal funding has been identified for five significant pan- Atlantic and pan-provincial initiatives to address the specific and urgent needs of the lobster fishing and forestry sectors. Of this amount, $8 million has been identified for a regional lobster marketing and product development program with the remainder for two-year silviculture initiatives in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
Of the total of 225 RInC and CAF projects approved in Atlantic Canada, 198 projects are currently underway, and 16 have been completed, for which approximately $16 million in federal funding has already flowed towards costs incurred on these projects.
In Nova Scotia, the $3 million renewal and upgrade of the Centennial Pool in Halifax, undertaken with $1 million in RInC funding, is enhancing the energy efficiency of this city landmark and extending its life by another 20 years. Once completed, this renewed facility will be better able to host provincial swimming events, provide a top-notch training facility for high-performance athletes, and continue to be a destination for leisure swimming enjoyed by city residents.
The community of Harbourville, Nova Scotia is receiving more than $318,000 in CAF Program funding toward their ongoing wharf restoration project, which is part of a multi-phased approach to rebuilding the community and the local economy. This project includes the rehabilitation of the existing access road, upgrades to the western part of the wharf, and improvements to the waterfront launching facilities.
ACOA continues to accept applications and assess projects under both the CAF and RInC programs. The Agency has been provided with $134.3 million in total allocations under RInC and CAF for Atlantic Canada. All projects are to be completed by the March 31, 2011 deadline.
INFORMATION:
Erin Filliter
Office of the Minister of State (ACOA)
613-941-7241
Richard Gauthier
Coordinator, Parliamentary Affairs and Media Relations
ACOA
506-851-6773
