WOLFE ISLAND, ONTARIO, June 22, 2012 – Volunteer paramedics on Wolfe Island can now enjoy a brand new accommodations building, which provides them with the amenities of home while on duty.
WolfeIsland’s volunteer paramedic service is one of only six of its kind in Ontarioand provides essential services to the local community. The new building includes sleeping space, washrooms, a small kitchen and a common room, and will provide off-island volunteers with a dedicated space to prepare meals and rest during prolonged shifts.
“Volunteer paramedics provide a vital service to local residents and thanks to Canada’s Economic Plan, Wolfe Island volunteers now have a comfortable, safe and secure space to call their own,” said Gord Brown, Member of Parliament for Leeds-Grenville, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “Our Government is proud to invest in infrastructure projects that contribute to the local economy and promote to the health and safety of families in this region.”
“The Government of Ontario is committed to investing in infrastructure projects that build stronger communities, strengthen Ontario’s economy, and create jobs,” said John Gerretsen, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kingston and the Islands. “The new ambulance accommodations building will help our volunteer paramedics, support the community and keep residents safe and healthy.”
”The ambulance accommodations building has improved the quality of life for Wolfe Island volunteer paramedics and in turn has made it easier to attract quality volunteer paramedics to the service,” said Janet Gutowski, Warden of Frontenac County. “The project has improved the community ofWolfeIslandand is a great example of successful collaboration between the three levels of government.”
The governments of Canada and Ontario each contributed $34,000 through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund toward eligible project costs. The County of Frontenac contributed the balance of the total project cost of $236,402.
As part ofCanada’s Economic Action Plan, the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund supported more than 4,100 projects across the country, including over 2,000 key infrastructure projects inOntario.
Investing in infrastructure is a key part of the Government of Canada’s plan to create jobs, generate economic growth and ensure long-term prosperity. Over the course of the summer, the Government of Canada will be engaging provinces, territories and stakeholders in a series of roundtables to develop a new long-term infrastructure plan. This plan will focus on investments that support job creation and economic growth, while building strong, prosperous communities across the country. In addition, the Government of Canada will hold a roundtable with national stakeholders and representatives of the private sector at the end of the summer. Working together to develop this plan will provide new opportunities for all orders of government and the private sector to build partnerships to improve public infrastructure inCanada.
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.Ontariois 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 preserved close to 100,000 jobs each year, on average, makingOntario’s economy more productive and improving quality of life, now and in the future.
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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 Ontariois revitalizing its infrastructure, visit ontario.ca/infrastructure.
Contacts:
Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure
416-325-0781
Alison Vandervelde
Communications Officer
Phone: 613-548-9400 x 305
Email: avandervelde@frontenaccounty.ca
InfrastructureCanada
613-960-9251 or toll-free 1-877-250-7154