MINESING, ONTARIO, February 24, 2012 – Historical records documenting Simcoe County’s past will be better protected into the future thanks to a joint investment from the federal, provincial and municipal governments.
The archives expansion will greatly improve the quality of records management and storage in the region by adding 10,000 square feet to the facility and new, modern equipment. Mobile shelving, a fire suppression system, cold-storage vault, external generator and new laboratory were also installed, and the records receiving area was expanded to increase the building’s capacity.
“The expansion of Simcoe County archives will ensure the safekeeping and preservation of an important part of Ontario’s history,” said Dr. Kellie Leitch, Member of Parliament for Simcoe-Grey, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “Our Government is proud to invest in heritage infrastructure to create local jobs and enrich communities for families, residents and visitors.”
“Our government is committed to investing in infrastructure projects that strengthen Ontario’s economy, create jobs and build stronger communities,” said the Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure and Minister of Transportation. “This project will protect and help enhance a valuable community resource so it can be enjoyed by residents for generations to come.”
“The Simcoe County Archives are vital to the conservation of our cultural history,” said Warden Cal Patterson. “This expansion project is a vital step towards ensuring the collective memory of the region – records of individuals, organizations and governments – continue to be preserved, and accessible to the public for generations to come. The County of Simcoe is very thankful for the support from our provincial and federal governments.”
The governments ofCanadaandOntarioare each contributing one-third of total eligible project costs, up to a maximum of about $1.3 million each. TheCountyofSimcoecontributed the balance of the total project cost of $4.13 million.
The Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. Thanks to Canada’s Economic Action Plan and our strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Canada has been a leader among G-7 countries throughout the recovery with more than 610,000 net new jobs created since July 2009.
This project also supports Building Together, the Government of Ontario’s long-term infrastructure plan to repair, rebuild and renew the province’s roads and highways, bridges, public transit, schools and postsecondary institutions, hospitals and courthouses. Ontario is investing $12.8 billion in infrastructure projects in 2011-12, bringing the government’s total infrastructure investments since 2003 to $75 billion. Building modern, efficient infrastructure has created or kept 100,000 jobs each year, on average, making Ontario’s economy more productive and improving quality of life, now and in the future.
For additional information about investments in infrastructure, visit infrastructure.gc.ca.
For further information about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit actionplan.gc.ca.
For more information on how Ontario is revitalizing its infrastructure, visit ontario.ca/infrastructure.
Contacts:
Pierre Floréa
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure
416-325-0781
Allan Greenwood, Director
Corporate Communications
County of Simcoe
705-726-9300 ext. 1230
Allan.Greenwood@simcoe.ca
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251 or toll-free 1-877-250-7154
