 Executive Council Transportation and Works Health and Community Services Municipal Affairs Education Natural Resources Fisheries and Aquaculture April 29, 2008
Unprecedented Investment of $673 Million Enhances and Restores Provincial Infrastructure
The Williams Government remains firmly committed to its plan for social improvement and economic growth supported by sound infrastructure investment. With Budget 2008, the Provincial Government is investing $673 million in infrastructure. This is the third year of the Williams Government�s unprecedented, six-year, infrastructure strategy, now valued at over $3 billion. The strategy is expected to generate an average of 6,500 person years of employment each year. "Our focus on enhancing and restoring our province�s infrastructure will serve to spur our economic activity, attract investment and give our people solid infrastructure � whether it be roads, schools or hospitals," said the Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. "Our ongoing effort to erase our infrastructure deficit is already beginning to bear fruit through economic and social development, particularly in rural parts of the province. This level of infrastructure investment will also create opportunities for skilled trades, enabling Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to return to the province and our young people to remain here at home."
Approximately 65 per cent of the infrastructure investments in Budget 2008 are earmarked for Transportation and Works and Health and Community Services. Transportation and Works The Williams Government will invest $375 million in transportation infrastructure improvements, associated expenditures, public buildings and water bombers, including $91.8 million projected under cost-sharing agreements. "This government has invested in infrastructure like never before in the province�s history," said the Honourable Dianne Whalen, Minister of Transportation and Works. "We have made targeted investments in roads, ferries and public buildings with an eye towards sustaining them on a long-term basis." Investments in Transportation and Works include: Marine Buildings Roads Budget 2008 provides $73 million for the roads program which includes: Budget 2008 also provides the following: Air Health and Community Services Investments in health care facilities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador will exceed $112 million this year. Budget 2008 includes $79.1 million in new and redeveloped health infrastructure, while high priority repairs and maintenance in existing health facilities will be addressed with a $33.5 million investment. Municipal Affairs The Department of Municipal Affairs will increase its capital budget commitment by $34.4 million annually, for a total annual provincial commitment of $84.3 million, resulting in total provincial commitment in municipal infrastructure of $252.9 million over three years. Together with federal and municipal investment, the three-year investment in municipal infrastructure will be approximately $404 million, including federal funding of approximately $68 million. Education Government continues to increase funding to improve the province�s infrastructure for both the K-12 and post-secondary education systems. Budget 2008 will allocate $88.8 million, an increase of $39.5 million over last year, in the K-12 system for new school construction, repairs and maintenance. Exciting new initiatives for the post-secondary education system announced last year will receive continued support in Budget 2008 with an investment of $25.35 million. Natural Resources T he province is investing $480,000 in infrastructure to support the forestry and agrifood industries. In keeping with the Provincial Government�s commitment to supporting the Northern Peninsula, Budget 2008 commits $350,000 to expand and renovate the Roddickton forestry building. To protect veterinarian vehicles from vandalism and ensure the Animal Health Division has the ability to respond to the needs of the industry, Budget 2008 contains $130,000 to construct a three-vehicle garage at the Provincial Agriculture Building in St. John�s.
Fisheries and Aquaculture The Provincial Government will invest $250,000 for the construction of a wharf to replace one that was burned at Williams Harbour in Labrador, and for a community stage to replace one that burned in Nipper�s Harbour. This is part of a $1 million commitment to replace these important pieces of fisheries infrastructure. -30-
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2008 04 29 2:15 p.m.
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