Markham, Ontario, July 20, 2011 – Representatives from all three levels of government toured Markham’s new Emergency Operations Centre today.
The 9,200-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility features advanced computer, telecommunications, video surveillance and GIS mapping systems. It will help the Town of Markham better monitor and respond to local and regional emergencies such as fires, power outages and extreme weather.
“During emergencies, residents expect timely and effective responses, as well as up-to-the-minute information” said the Paul Calandra, MP for Oakridges—Markham, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “Thanks to this new emergency operations centre, the Town of Markham will be able to do just that. The Harper government is proud to have invested in this exceptional project that will continue to keep this community safe for years to come.”
“The McGuinty government is committed to working with our municipal partners to building strong, safe and successful communities,” said the Honourable Michael Chan, Member of Provincial Parliament for Markham—Unionville. “By investing in this project, we have provided our dedicated emergency response workers with the tools they need to keep or families safe and sound well into the future.”
“Markham’s new Emergency Operations Centre ensures Markham residents will receive the best possible support and response in the event of a community-wide emergency”, said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “The support of the governments of Canada and Ontario was instrumental in making this possible, and has helped us in achieving our goal to enhance the sustainability and safety of our community.”
The new facility is part of a larger project to rehabilitate several municipal buildings in the Town of Markham, valued at $7.2 million. The governments of Canada and Ontario have each committed $2.4 million toward these projects, with the Town of Markham contributing the balance.
Federal funding for these projects comes from the $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which is providing funding to more than 4,100 infrastructure projects across the country. The fund is managed by Infrastructure Canada.
In June, Ontario had an increase of more than 40,000 jobs and the unemployment rate declined to 7.7 percent.
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For additional information about investments in infrastructure, visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.
For further information about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For more information on how Ontario is revitalizing its infrastructure, visit ontario.ca/infrastructure.
Contacts:
Vanessa Schneider
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Office of MPP Chan
905-305-1935
Dennis Flaherty
Director of Communications
Town of Markham
905-415-7520
media@markham.ca
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148 OR Toll-Free 1-877-250-7154
