Municipal Affairs
July 14, 2009
Government Provides Update on Timelines
Associated with Building Canada Fund Commitment Letters
The Department of Municipal Affairs
expects all letters to confirm funding for projects announced through
the Building Canada Fund to be released in the coming weeks.
�There are a number of projects which have been identified as priority
stimulus projects with federal deadlines of 2011, and these have been
the focus of the department to date,� said the Honourable Dianne Whalen,
Minister of Municipal Affairs. �Once this work on priority projects has
been completed, we will be in a position to work on scheduling and cash
flows for the remainder of projects which do not have such stringent
timelines and which have ample time for project finalization.�
To date, 25 letters of commitment valued at $137 million have been sent
to municipalities identified for Building Canada Funding, with 18 more
expected to be released in the next few days valued at a further $23.2
million, and letters to confirm funding on all remaining projects sent
to all proponents in the next couple of weeks.
�We understand the concerns of municipalities who are anxious to avail
of program funding and begin their infrastructure work. We are working
as quickly as possible to complete project schedules, plan projects, and
cash flows and send out the remaining letters of approval,� said
Minister Whalen.
Under various components of the Building Canada Fund, a total of $323
million is being invested by the federal, provincial and municipal
governments in 96 community infrastructure projects. The Government of
Newfoundland and Labrador will invest $138.6 million; the Federal
Government will contribute $108.4 million, and municipalities will
contribute $76 million.
The Provincial Government's infrastructure strategy is valued at more
than $4 billion over the next several years. Provincial infrastructure
projects totaling $1.6 billion will be tendered this fiscal year,
creating an estimated 15,000 jobs (some seasonal) and providing
significant economic stimulus to the economy of Newfoundland and
Labrador.
- 30 -
Media contact:
Heather MacLean
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal Affairs
709-729-1983, 697-4137
heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca
2009 07 14
2:35 p.m. |