Speaking Notes for The Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for FedNor
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Lake of the Woods Brewing Company
350 Second St S, Kenora, Ontario
4 p.m.
Check Against Delivery
Thank you for that kind introduction.
Welcome ladies and gentlemen and thank you for joining us today for this very special announcement.
I am honoured to be here today to participate in this very important event for our communities.
Since 2006, our Government has played an important role in stimulating economic development in Northern Ontario and across Canada.
Today, Canada is showing the best economic development performance of any of the G-7 countries.
Canada owes this performance to its sound public finances and to Canada's Economic Action Plan, a plan that was implemented quickly and efficiently.
In 2017, we will celebrate our Confederation's sesquicentennial anniversary. This anniversary will be a great moment in the history of our nation.
The theme of this anniversary « Canada: Strong. Proud. Free » are words that characterize our country today and particularly its citizens.
The Government of Canada's vision for this very special anniversary is:
- to contribute to and leave a lasting legacy in Canada, including legacies that will continue beyond 2017;
- to honor outstanding contributions; and
- to celebrate and bring Canadians together.
This vision will be realized through strategic investments in activities that focus on these three key areas.
As we announced in Budget 2015, an investment of $210 million over four years, starting in 2015-2016, will support activities and celebrations in Canada from coast to coast.
The Canada 150 Fund will help us as Canadians to connect with our history; celebrate our diversity; honour our linguistic, ethnic, cultural and regional diversity; reflect on Canada's achievements and build lasting legacies for the future.
It will serve to maximize the impact and reach of Canada's 150th initiatives.
The goal of the Canada 150 Fund is to create opportunities for Canadians to participate in local, regional, and national celebrations that contribute to building a sense of pride and attachment to Canada.
As part of the celebration of Canada's anniversary, the Right Honourable Prime Minister Harper launched, last Friday, the new Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program (CIP 150). This new program will provide Canadians with an opportunity to celebrate Canada's history, heritage, values and future by reinvesting in community infrastructure that contributes to the quality of life of communities across Canada.
Through the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program, which will run until March 31, 2018, $150 million will be invested across Canada to support the rehabilitation, renovation and expansion of existing public infrastructure for community use.
Some examples of eligible projects include improving accessibility to a community centre, repairing a museum's roof, or expanding a gymnasium.
I am pleased to announce that, in Northern Ontario, $5.2 million will be delivered over two years through FedNor to ensure that our communities benefit from the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program.
Over the past 150 years, community infrastructure in towns, cities and First Nations across Canada have served to bring us closer as a people.
Whether we're taking a stroll on the boardwalk at our scenic waterfront, enjoying a gathering at the community centre or a friendly competition at one our many recreation facilities, Canadians have long understood the value of these important community assets and facilities.
They are part of the glue that binds us as Canadians.Our Government is contributing to stronger, united and prosperous communities for the future.
Starting today, municipal governments, aboriginal communities and their related entities, as well as not-for-profit organizations can visit the FedNor website, view the program guidelines and complete an online application.
Improving quality of life is a priority for our Government. That is why we have set up the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program which aims to help communities across the country to renovate their existing local infrastructure. Consequently, communities will have more modern, functional, safe and adapted infrastructures.
Our Government is making significant investments in key infrastructure projects to celebrate our past and build a promising future.
Canada's 150th is giving Canadians a historic opportunity to establish a link to our past, celebrate our achievements and build a lasting legacy for the future.
I look forward to working with you once again to bring about positive change in our communities.
Thank you!
