The Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan (EAP) is having a positive economic impact on the Atlantic economy by assisting communities to 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).
“Our Government has responded with unprecedented urgency, to ensure that Economic Action Plan 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 put Atlantic Canadians to work now and in the future, while providing much-needed upgrades to municipal infrastructure throughout our region.”
“New Brunswick families and businesses, particularly those in communities hardest hit by the global economic downturn, have been helped significantly by the investments our Government has made through our Economic Action Plan,” said the Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs and regional minister for New Brunswick. “A perfect example of this is our $8.5 million investment in two joint silviculture initiatives with the province of New Brunswick. These projects have 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 57 projects in New Brunswick, representing total federal investments of more than $25 million. The projects benefits from leveraged funding of $103.8 million from various partners, for a total of $128.8 million throughout the province. Of this total, 50 projects are currently underway, and five (5) have been completed, with the remaining two projects set to begin in the 2010 construction season.
Under the CAF program, a total of $23.5 million in federal funding has been identified for five (5) 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 while the remainder has been identified for silviculture initiatives in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
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.
The positive impact of CAF and RInC projects on Atlantic Canadian communities has translated into short-term employment opportunities, much needed community infrastructure improvements as well as lasting legacies.
For example, in Fredericton, the Beaverbrook Art Gallery has undertaken an ambitious $3.75 million renovation project with nearly $1.9 million in CAF funding. Once completed, the renovations, which include energy efficiency and accessibility retrofits, security system upgrades, and climate-controlled storage enhancements, will ensure that the Gallery has the infrastructure to house some of the world’s finest art treasures.
The Village of Petit-Rocher, New Brunswick received $250,000 in RInC Program funding towards an $860,000 upgrade of its local soccer field just time for this summer’s Jeux de l’Acadie.
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
