Iqaluit, Nunavut, July 10, 2012 – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) and Minister of Health, met today with the municipal sector and community and business leaders from Nunavut to discuss the development of a new long-term plan for public infrastructure beyond 2014.
"Working together, federal, territorial and municipal governments have made significant investments in public infrastructure in Nunavut. Our discussions provided valuable input on how we can continue to work together, in partnership, to support economic growth in the Territory,"
said Minister Lebel.
"Our government is committed to ensuring that Canadians benefit from world-class infrastructure. Our plan will leverage funding from all governments and the private sector, to ensure affordability and sustainability over the long term."
Today's meeting in Iqaluit marks one in 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 Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport), to further inform the process.
"Past investments in projects like the Arctic Winter Games Arena have benefitted our communities, our families and our youth, making a real difference to the quality of life of residents and the economy of Iqaluit for years to come,"
said Minister Aglukkaq. "Making targeted investment planning in public infrastructure will provide continued support to productivity and innovation, facilitating trade activities and promoting local and regional development."
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 public infrastructure investments in Nunavut, please visit: www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/bpp-pbp/nu/nu-eng.html.
For further information on the engagement process, please visit: www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/plan-eng.html.
Contacts:
Geneviève Sicard
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
