Regina, Saskatchewan, July 30, 2012– The Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport), and the Honourable Peter Van Loan, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, met today with the Honourable Don McMorris, Minister of Highways and Infrastructure for the Government of Saskatchewan, the Honourable Jim Reiter, Minister of Government Relations for the Government of Saskatchewan, the municipal sector, and community and business leaders from Saskatchewan to discuss the development of a new long-term plan for public infrastructure beyond 2014.
"Our strong partnerships have resulted in significant public infrastructure investments for communities across Saskatchewan. Today's discussion provided valuable input on how we can continue to support growth throughout the province,"
said Minister Fletcher. "Our government is committed to ensuring that Canadians benefit from world-class infrastructure. Our plan will encourage greater private-sector involvement and public-private partnerships to generate better value for taxpayers."
Today's meeting in Regina marks one of a series of in-depth discussions taking place over the course of the summer that will focus on broad directions and principles for a new long-term infrastructure plan for Canada.
Meetings with provinces, territories, municipalities through municipal associations and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and community and business groups are also being led by the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, to further inform the process.
"Targeted investment in infrastructure provides continued support to create jobs, long term prosperity and local economic development,"
said Minister Van Loan. "Through past investments in infrastructure projects, such as the Global Transportation Hub in Regina, our government has supported regional industries in gaining access to global supply chains and markets."
The Government of Canada will develop a new plan that will continue to deliver results for Canadians through long-term investment programs. This includes exploring opportunities that encourage greater private sector involvement and public-private partnerships to generate better value for taxpayers, and ensure affordability and sustainability over the long term.
Infrastructure investments are a key element of the Government of Canada's plan to create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for Canadians. The seven-year, $33-billion Building Canada plan, introduced in Budget 2007, was Canada's first-ever long-term infrastructure plan. The Building Canada plan will continue to deliver results for communities until 2014 and beyond. The new long-term plan will build on past accomplishments and provide new opportunities for all orders of government to work together to improve public infrastructure in Canada.
For further information on the engagement process, please visit: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/plan-eng.html.
Contacts:
Brayden Akers
Office of the Minister of State (Transport)
613-991-0700
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
