Building Prosperity: Infrastructure Investments Promote Sustainable Success
Budget 2012: People and Prosperity – Responsible Investments for a Secure Future includes almost $900 million for infrastructure improvements that are central to the daily lives of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and key to continued prosperity. This investment will complete major roads projects, replace aging ferries, restore and improve some of the most recognizable and historically significant structures in the province, and modernize equipment.
The investment will also generate 6,600 person years of employment to stimulate the economy and create new opportunities for people pursuing careers in skilled trades. Budget 2012 continues an ongoing series of multi-year infrastructure investments now valued at almost $5 billion that will enhance the economic and social development of the province for years to come.
“Approximately $1 billion has been invested in infrastructure by this government in each of the last several years to enhance transportation, health, education, culture, and virtually every other aspect of life in the province,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works. “Our investment this year is focused on strategic work that builds on our successes to date to encourage economic growth and provide a strong foundation for future development.”
Infrastructure investments through Budget 2012 involve multiple Provincial Government departments and agencies as detailed in other budget announcements.
Transportation and Works
Budget 2012 provides a total of approximately $310 million for various infrastructure initiatives through the Department of Transportation and Works, which include:
Roads
Provincial road and bridge infrastructure will be enhanced through an investment of $165.1 million, which will leverage an additional $60 million in federal support for a total investment of $225.1 million through Budget 2012.
This investment includes:
Marine
Budget 2012 will bring significant investment to enhance marine services in the province, including:
Air Services
Buildings
A total of $40.2 million will be invested in public buildings in 2012. This investment includes funding to renovate the province’s iconic 50-year-old Confederation Building, enhance accessibility at public buildings, make alterations and improvements to existing Provincial Government facilities, and develop plans for future infrastructure projects.
Other investments include:
Municipal Affairs
The Provincial Government will continue its important and strategic investment into municipal infrastructure with an investment of $130 million over two years for new municipal infrastructure projects. In doing so, cost-share ratios established in 2008 will be maintained to benefit municipalities. For communities with populations below 3,000, the Provincial Government will continue to invest 90 per cent of the cost of new infrastructure with the municipality providing 10 per cent; 80 per cent of the cost will continue to be covered for populations between 3,000 and 7,000; and 70 per cent of the cost will continue to be covered for municipalities with populations over 7,000. When calculating its investment, the Provincial Government includes the provincial portion of the HST and pays its applicable share of that cost.
Health and Community Services
Health care infrastructure continues to be a priority in Budget 2012, which provides
a total investment of $230.5 million in capital infrastructure, including $158.9 million
for continuing construction and redevelopment, $45 million for new equipment, and $26.6 million for repairs and renovations.
Education
The unprecedented investments the Provincial Government has made in K-12 infrastructure will continue. Budget 2012 will provide over $115 million for new and ongoing infrastructure projects throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Since 2004, over $567 million has been allocated for K-12 infrastructure in this province.
Tourism, Culture and Recreation
The Provincial Government is continuing to invest in the restoration of the Colonial Building, with an allocation of $9.5 million in Budget 2012. This initiative is also being supported by the Government of Canada through the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund of the Building Canada Plan.
Advanced Education and Skills
The Provincial Government has committed $40.8 million through Budget 2012 to support the construction of new residences for Memorial University. Budget 2012 also commits $11.2 million for renovations to existing residences. In addition, the Provincial Government has allocated $2.5 million to accelerate shop modernization at College of the North Atlantic campuses.
Justice
Budget 2012 allocates $4.1 million for the new contract for policing services by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. This investment includes $3.9 million in each of the next five years representing the province’s 70 per cent share relative to the new accommodations program. This program will see significant renovations or replacement of detachments and living quarters throughout the province.
Environment and Conservation
As part of the revitalization effort for Salmonier Nature Park, funding of $2.8 million is allocated in Budget 2012 for a new visitor centre and associated infrastructure at the nature park. An additional $805,000 has also been allocated for energy efficiency initiatives at the park through the NL Green Fund.
Fisheries and Aquaculture
To further support biosecurity in the aquaculture industry, the Provincial Government has allocated over $6.2 million in Budget 2012 for the construction of aquaculture wharves in the Coast of Bays region. These new wharves will enhance biosecurity and fish health performance by providing clean inflow wharves for aquaculture use. Biosecurity is vital to maintaining health and to reducing the risk of acquiring disease at an aquaculture farm.
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation will contribute $2.7 million through Budget 2012 towards the federal-provincial Affordable Housing Initiative. This investment is part of the Provincial Government’s overall three-year, $8.1 million commitment, which will generate a total $16.2 million in federal-provincial funding and create 254 new affordable housing units province-wide.
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Media contacts:
Jason Card Director of Communications Department of Transportation and Works 709-729-3015, 699-0470 jasoncard@gov.nl.ca |
Tansy Mundon Director of Communications Department of Municipal Affairs 709-729-1983, 693-1865 tansymundon@gov.nl.ca |
Jennifer Tulk Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 699-6524 jennifertulk@gov.nl.ca |
Heather May Director of Communications Department of Education 709-729-0048, 697-5061 heathermay@gov.nl.ca |
Diana Quinton Director of Communications Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation 709-729-0928, 631-8155 dianaquinton@gov.nl.ca |
John Tompkins Director of Communications Department of Advanced Education and Skills 709-729-0753, 728-7762 jtompkins@gov.nl.ca |
Vanessa Colman-Sadd Director of Communications Department of Justice 709-729-6985, 682-6593 VanessaColmanSadd@gov.nl.ca |
Melony O’Neill Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation 709-729-2575, 689-0928 moneill@gov.nl.ca |
Bradley Power Director of Communications Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture 709-729-3733, 699-5707 BradleyPower@gov.nl.ca |
Jenny Bowring Manager, Communications Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation 709-724-3055 jmbowring@nlhc.nl.ca |
2012 04 24 2:40 p.m.