Québec, Quebec, July 5, 2012 – Today during a press conference in Quebec City, the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, announced that community facilities, such as community centres, recreational facilities and other types of community infrastructure are now eligible for repairs and upgrades thanks to the launch of the new Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF).
“Ensuring the well-being of communities continues to be a Harper Government priority. By launching the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund, the Harper Government is now making it easier for communities to carry out projects. This support attests to our firm commitment to promote economic growth across Canada,” stated Minister Lebel.
To show that the Harper Government is committed to the development of community infrastructure across the country, representatives responsible for the other regional development agencies, Gary Goodyear, Keith Ashfield, Lynne Yelich and Steven Fletcher, have made similar announcements in their respective regions.
The CIIF is part of Canada’s 2012 Economic Action Plan and has a nationwide budget of $150 million to be invested over two years. The initiative, in effect until March 31, 2014, is intended to help not-for-profit, public-sector and parapublic organizations and First Nations governments to fund projects to rehabilitate, improve or expand existing community infrastructure, such as community centres, cultural centres, recreational facilities and tourism facilities.
In Quebec, Canada Economic Development will be responsible for administering the CIIF and its $31.2-million budget. The CIIF will help to achieve three Harper Government priorities: promote long-term growth and prosperity in Canada’s economy; create jobs; and improve the quality of life of communities.
For more information, please refer to the backgrounder associated with this press release.
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Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel: 514-496-1282
Email: genevieve.sicard@tc.gc.ca
