Statement by
Honourable Jack Byrne
Minister of Municipal Affairs
March 23, 2007

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to inform my honourable colleagues that government has approved $36.2 million in provincial funding for municipal capital works for 2007-08. Capital Works Programs will assist municipalities develop municipal infrastructure and will support continued growth and development of communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. In partnership with federal and municipal counterparts, the total value of capital works commitments for 2007-08 is $77.4 million.

This commitment will allow municipalities an earlier start to the construction process and provide additional time for projects to be completed. Municipal capital works programming supports infrastructure improvements for residents of the province and in addition, province-wide, will provide up to 64,000 person weeks of direct or indirect and spin-off employment.

The capital works commitment includes the Municipal Capital Works Program, Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund Program, the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, Gas Tax Program and the Multi-Year Capital Works Program, all of which are administered by the Department of Municipal Affairs.

Historically, the majority of funding has been directed toward water and sewer infrastructure. In light of increasing demands, government will begin to broaden investments in municipal infrastructure to address investment deficits in the areas of recreation, buildings and fire equipment. An increased emphasis will be placed on infrastructure where investments are required and can be supported by a business case analysis which rationalizes the need and the long-term sustainability of the infrastructure.

Mr. Speaker, we remain committed to working with municipalities to find cost-effective solutions to address increasing infrastructure requirements for municipalities across Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Department of Municipal Affairs is in the process of evaluating applications for municipal capital works, and will make announcements for specific projects in the near future.

Thank you Mr. Speaker.
 


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