Federal and territorial governments invest in key infrastructure under the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund
Whitehorse, Yukon, April 12, 2012 – Yukon residents will benefit from infrastructure improvements thanks to significant investments announced today by the governments of Canada and Yukon.
"Our government's top priority is jobs, the economy and long-term prosperity,"
said Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament for Yukon, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "Investing in infrastructure is one of the best ways to create jobs in Yukon and throughout Canada. From upgrades to local roads and bridges, to new water and wastewater infrastructure, these initiatives are key elements in ensuring sustained growth and economic prosperity across Yukon."
Today's announcement commits over $37 million in joint federal and territorial funding toward 15 infrastructure initiatives identified in Yukon's 2012-2013 Capital Plan, under the federal government's Provincial-Territorial Base Fund. Initiatives include road and bridge upgrades, water and wastewater infrastructure enhancements, and improvements to waste management systems. A full list of initiatives can be found in the attached backgrounder.
"The Building Canada Plan is making a positive impact in Yukon communities,"
Government of Yukon's Community Services Minister Elaine Taylor said. "The Yukon government is pleased to support the important initiatives being announced today, which include resurfacing and rebuilding roads in Ross River, Carmacks and Pelly Crossing and constructing water pump houses in Teslin and Faro. Our continued partnerships with Canada, municipalities and First Nations are helping us to grow the economy, meet the needs of today, and develop key infrastructure required for our future."
Under the Provincial-Territorial Base Funding agreement of the Building Canada Plan, Yukon will receive a total of $182.91 million from the Government of Canada for core infrastructure priorities such as water, wastewater, clean energy and safe roads. Funding is being made available to address territorial, local, and First Nation priorities and objectives. Yukon and other partners will also contribute at least 25 percent of total eligible costs under the program.
For further information on Infrastructure Canada's projects in Yukon, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca or visit www.infrastructure.gov.yk.ca.
To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For further information contact:
Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Bonnie Venton Ross
Infrastructure Communications Coordinator
Community Services
867-393-6907
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Yukon will receive a total of $182.91 million through the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund to help address core infrastructure priorities at both the territorial and community level. This funding is part of the federal government's Building Canada Plan.
Yukon has developed a long-term infrastructure plan to guide potential initiatives under the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund. Building Canada also identifies priority initiatives put forward by First Nation governments, municipalities, local advisory councils and Yukon citizens under five key categories: drinking water, wastewater, solid waste, roads and clean energy.
Today's announcement identifies infrastructure initiatives worth $37.14 million that are being jointly funded by the governments of Canada and Yukon under the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund as part of Yukon's 2012-2013 Annual Capital Plan.
2012-2013 Annual Capital Plan – Infrastructure Initiative List
- Ross River Roads (Phase 2):Second phase of reconstructing community roads, increasing safety and improving drainage.
- Faro Pump House:Replace aging water pump house and associated infrastructure.
- Carmacks Road Upgrades/Resurfacing:Resurface community roads.
- Pelly Crossing Roads:Repair and upgrade community roads.
- Watson Lake Water/Wastewater Phase 3:Reconstruction of Watson Lake's water and wastewater infrastructure.
- Solid Waste Management Systems:Waste reduction system to reduce solid waste volumes at landfills/transfer stations around the territory.
- Whitehorse Black Street Reconstruction:Surface work on Black Street in Whitehorse.
- Teslin Water Phase 3:Building a pump house as part of the third phase of construction for a new water treatment system.
- Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation Geothermal Energy Development:New community heating system using geothermal energy.
- Teslin Tlingit Council Road Upgrades:Upgrade roads in Teslin Tlingit Council area of Teslin.
- Whitehorse Robert Campbell Bridge Widening:Widening of the Robert Campbell Bridge to accommodate bicycle lanes.
- Whitehorse Range Road (Phase 1):Upgrade Range Road to accommodate new development.
- Whitehorse Hospital Road/Lewes Blvd Upgrade:Upgrade the intersection at Hospital Road/Lewes Boulevard.
- Nisutlin Bay Bridge (Phase 1):Seismic retrofit, replace steel deck, retrofit bridge rail, install pedestrian walkway/lighting, and preliminary corrosion protection.
- Upper Liard ridge: New concrete deck and a seismic retrofit.
Total Eligible Cost of Initiatives: $37.14 million
