Top-up to Canada/Newfoundland Infrastructure Works Program The Canadian and Newfoundland and Labrador governments signed an agreement today allocating an additional $31 million to the Canada - Newfoundland Infrastructure Works Program in 1997-98. Premier Brian Tobin; Newfoundland's Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs Art Reid; Marcel Masse, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for Infrastructure; and Fred Mifflin, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Newfoundland's regional Minister in the federal Cabinet participated in the signing ceremony. "Newfoundlanders and Labradorians told us they needed jobs and we listened. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Infrastructure Works Program has already created about 2,400 jobs, and the top-up will create another 480 in the province," said Minister Masse. "This three-way cooperation on Infrastructure Works adds another $10.36 million of federal money, an amount to be matched by both the province and local partners. This means that in the 1997 construction season, our partnership will allow for $31 million in new investments in Newfoundland and Labrador infrastructure," said Premier Tobin. "The beauty of this program is that it helps create new jobs while helping to ensure municipalities are ready for the challenges of tomorrow," said Minister Mifflin. Mr. Reid said the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is delighted to participate with municipalities and the federal government in this extended infrastructure program. "Among other things, this program will increase the tax base of our municipalities," he said. "It will serve to enhance our environment, deliver better transportation and communications lines and create new and improved municipal assets for communities throughout the province." Newfoundland and Labrador received $49.15 million in federal funds from the current federal-provincial Infrastructure Works Program. When combined with the contributions of the province and the municipalities, the Infrastructure Program, including the funding announced today, could result in about $178 million in expenditures in the construction and construction-related sectors since 1994. The success of the first program encouraged the federal government to contribute an additional $425 million to the program for 1997 as part of an overall government strategy of using infrastructure improvement to enhance the competitiveness of Canada's communities and stimulate job creation. Under the extended Canada Infrastructure Works Program, the municipalities retain the ability to invest in the projects that meet their priorities and the criteria for the selection of projects will remain essentially the same. It is anticipated that the first round of Infrastructure projects - under the extended agreement - will be announced in early spring. The agreement is jointly administered by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) on behalf of the Government of Canada and by the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Contact:
BUILDING ON THE SUCCESS OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM:
|
||
|