March 17, 2014 — Vancouver, British Columbia – Infrastructure Canada
Minister Denis Lebel spoke today before the Vancouver Board of Trade on the New Building Canada Plan and what it means for Metro Vancouver.
The New Building Canada Plan builds on the Government's unprecedented investments in infrastructure. In 2007, the Government of Canada introduced the seven-year, $33-billion Building Canada Plan, which provided stable, flexible and predictable funding across the country. These historic investments in public infrastructure continue with $70 billion over the next decade, including the $53 billion New Building Canada Plan for provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure that enhances economic growth, job creation and productivity.
In Metro Vancouver, the New Building Canada Plan will support local infrastructure priorities that will improve economic development and quality of life in the region. Funding will help deliver cleaner water, better roads and easier access to public transit for residents. Projects funded through the New Building Canada Plan will ensure that Metro Vancouver remains competitive and innovative on the world stage. From investments in local roads to investments in water and wastewater, Metro Vancouver will benefit greatly from the New Building Canada Plan.
While the New Building Canada Plan is expected to launch very soon, our existing federal infrastructure programs will continue to support over 2,500 ongoing or new infrastructure projects across Canada during 2014 alone.
In British Columbia, federal funding is flowing to hundreds of projects through the federal Gas Tax Fund, in addition to a number of ongoing major infrastructure projects, including the BC Transit Kelowna RapidBus and the BC Transit Improvement Initiative, which are funded though other programs.
The Minister also mentioned that the federal government continues to boost international commercial ties through the historic Free Trade Agreement with the Republic of Korea, which was recently announced by the Prime Minister. This agreement provides Canadian businesses with a gateway to Asia, enhancing the global competitiveness of agricultural producers in Manitoba and of exporters across the country.
Michele-Jamali Paquette
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and
Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
613-943-1838
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll-Free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: media@infc.gc.ca
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Website: Infrastructure Canada
