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April 25, 1997
(Municipal and Provincial Affairs)

The following statement was issued today be Arthur D. Reid, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

It gives me much pleasure to announce today the approval of 99 projects under the 1997/98 Municipal Capital Works Program.

These water and sewer, paving, road building and recreational projects represent expenditures of $25 million on the part of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

There will be a further expenditure on the part of municipalities and this is estimated to be in the vicinity of $12 million dollars.

Along with my colleague the Hon. Fred Mifflin, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, it was also my pleasure to announce last evening the approval of 94 projects under the extended Canada/Newfoundland Municipal Infrastructure Program.

This government is pleased to participate with the federal government in the extended Infrastructure Agreement. Since it was signed in 1994 it has made - and is continuing to make - significant economic and social impacts on communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

Altogether, Mr. Speaker, some 193 projects have now been approved under Capital Works and Infrastructure. They represent expenditures in this 1997 year approaching $70 million dollars.

The two programs combined are expected to create 24,000 person weeks of employment which equates to 1,200 jobs.

Another meaningful factor is that this work will be spread throughout the whole province.

These projects will serve to stimulate and accelerate economic activity and contribute - in a very positive way - to government's plan with respect to the revitalization of our province, particularly rural Newfoundland.

A total of 132 communities are sharing in the two programs.

In total, some 104 water and sewer projects are approved as well as 57 road paving and reconstruction projects and, as indicated, other projects also include funding for recreational and other multi-purpose type facilities.

For residents of our communities, this funding means that they will be able to have cleaner drinking water. The roads that are being constructed, upgraded and/or paved will improve our transportation links and, together with new and improved recreational facilities, they will help us in our efforts to enhance the tourism potential of our province.

This $70 million dollars of infrastructure funding will address the most pressing needs and it is being distributed fairly and equitably throughout the province.

These projects will not only serve to accelerate economic recovery through the creation of jobs but they also provide us with a more positive outlook for the future.

The Infrastructure and Capital Works Programs are also about people - putting people to work and helping people to help themselves.

Since the signing of the original Infrastructure Agreement in 1994, an amount of $147.5 million has been invested in our province and it has created 2,400 construction related jobs and 500 permanent jobs.

The projects that are being approved today represent a significant investment in municipal infrastructure and they also represent an investment in the future of our province.

It is indeed a most significant announcement and I am confident that it will be well received by the many municipalities which are sharing in either of the two municipal infrastructure programs.

Last year I made a commitment to the construction association and to municipalities that our capital works and infrastructure projects would be announced before the end of April. I'm glad I am able to deliver on that commitment. As far as can be determined, this is the earliest date ever for approval of municipal capital works and infrastructure.

The early announcement of the programs means that tendering can take place immediately and construction can start on the projects as soon as the frost is out of the ground.