Ottawa, Ontario, November 30, 2011 – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Region of Quebec, today launched the formal engagement process that will bring together the Government of Canada, provinces, territories, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and others to develop a new long-term plan for public infrastructure beyond the expiry of the Building Canada Plan in 2014.
"Completing the economic recovery remains our Government's top priority. Our new plan will help identify Canada's infrastructure priorities to meet the needs of Canadians and build a more prosperous, competitive, and sustainable economy,"
said Minister Lebel. "Working together with partners, we will take stock, identify opportunities, and build the foundation of a new infrastructure plan that supports economic growth and job creation."
The engagement process will take place in three phases over the next year. First, the Government of Canada will work together with its partners to take stock of recent accomplishments and their impacts, and examine the results of the significant investments that have been made by all orders of government. The second phase will be working with our partners and leading experts to collaborate on research and analysis that will inform and guide the long-term infrastructure plan.
This important work will lay the foundation for the third phase that will include a series of in-depth discussions with partners to confirm the principles and priorities of the plan. The result: an effective, sustainable, long-term infrastructure plan for Canadians.
As the Government of Canada develops this new plan, it will continue to deliver significant infrastructure investments through the $33-billion Building Canada Plan. It has also tabled legislation to make the $2 billion Gas Tax Fund permanent, providing stable and predictable funding for municipalities to help support their local infrastructure priorities.
Through strong partnerships with provinces, territories, municipalities and other stakeholders, the Government of Canada is leading the way in investing in public infrastructure.
Contacts:
Pierre Floréa
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Or toll-free 1-877-250-7154
