West Vancouver, British Columbia, August 19, 2010 – Twenty-one additional infrastructure projects will get underway in B.C. this construction season thanks to over $42 million in funding from Canada and the Province, announced Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway on behalf of Canada’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Chuck Strahl, and B.C. Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations Naomi Yamamoto.
“The Government of Canada is committed to creating jobs, strengthening our economy, and ensuring the safety and well-being of Canadians,” said Minister Day. “We are pleased to partner with British Columbia on these highway improvement projects, which will lead to safer roads for residents and visitors across the province.”
“Our government continues to work with our federal partners to invest in important infrastructure that will create hundreds of new jobs in every region of the province,” said Minister Yamamoto. “These additional projects have been made possible due to our competitive bid process, which ensures we get the best value for British Columbians’ tax dollars.”
The funding for these 21 projects is available as the result of savings achieved through competitive bids on previously announced provincial Infrastructure Stimulus Fund highway projects. It is estimated these new projects will create more than 270 direct jobs. Of the $42 million invested, $38 million is eligible under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund – split equally between Canada and B.C.
Of the 21 projects announced today, 18 are improvements to highway and road infrastructure throughout the province. The remaining three projects are improvements to BC Ferries facilities in Campbell River, Langdale and Horseshoe Bay. All projects must be completed by March 31, 2011.
The federal contribution to these projects comes from the $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which provides funding to provincial, territorial and municipal construction-ready infrastructure projects. Since March 2009, over 400 projects have received a total federal investment of over $500 million under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund across British Columbia.
Since October 2008, over $5.3 billion has been committed for accelerated capital projects across British Columbia, which is estimated to generate more than 34,000 construction jobs over the life of the projects.
For more information:
For more information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, please visit
www.actionplan.gc.ca. The website www.creatingjobs.gc.ca has more information on federal infrastructure investments in British Columbia.
Contact:
John Babcock
Office of the Honourable Chuck Strahl
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Jeff Knight
Public Affairs Bureau
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250-356-7707
