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Tri-Partite Agreement to Invest $10 Million into City of Regina
A new Urban Development Agreement between the Government of Canada, the Government of Saskatchewan and the City of Regina will invest $10 million in Regina residents' quality of life, with an initial focus on the city's inner-city neighbourhoods and downtown revitalization.
Ralph Goodale, Minister of Finance, Harry Van Mulligen, Saskatchewan Minister of Finance and Pat Fiacco, Mayor of Regina, announced the five-year agreement today.
"Canadians want our cities and communities to be the best in the world - great places to live and do business," said Minister Goodale, on behalf of Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport). "The Regina Urban Development Agreement is about governments working together with the people of Regina to support that vision and find local solutions to local challenges."
" The Urban Development Agreements demonstrate the commitment of the governments of Canada, Saskatchewan and Regina to collaborate and work together," said Minister Van Mulligen. "The three levels of government will also work with community groups, Aboriginal groups and organizations and the private sector to ensure that the outcomes of urban development benefit all residents of Regina."
"With the three orders of government working together with the community, we can help to ensure Regina's inner city and downtown are able share in the quality of life which is such a great strength of our city," said Mayor Fiacco. "As well, it will enable these areas of our community to help us achieve City Council's vision to see Regina recognized for its economic, social and environmental sustainability."
The agreement sets out six priorities for action that focus on:
- Community-based approaches to affordable housing, homelessness and the renewal of inner-city Regina neighbourhoods.
- Developing cultural and recreational opportunities to enhance quality of life.
- Supporting environmental protection and climate change solutions.
- Enhancing Aboriginal participation in Regina's economy.
- Promoting a positive business climate and enhancing Regina's competitiveness.
- Addressing the strategic infrastructure needed to develop Regina physically, socially and economically.
Federal funding for this initiative is included in the fiscal framework. Western Economic Diversification Canada is the federal department responsible for administering this agreement.
Provincial funding for this initiative is provided for in the March 2005 budget. Saskatchewan Government Relations is the provincial department responsible for administering this agreement.
City funding for this initiative will be provided through annual capital or operating budgets to be approved by City Council.
For additional information, contact:
Joanne Mysak
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon, SK
Tel: (306) 975-5942
Cathy Gourlie
Communications
Government Relations
Phone: (306) 787-2687
Lisa Wilson-Sturm
Acting General Manager
Public Affairs
City of Regina
(306) 777-7486
(306)-777-6803 (fax)
lwsturm@regina.ca
http://www.regina.ca/
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1 877 303-3388
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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Backgrounder
Regina Urban Development Agreement
- Officials from Western Economic Diversification Canada, Saskatchewan Government Relations and the City of Regina have been working together for over a year to develop the tripartite Regina Urban Development Agreement (UDA) to address urban issues more collaboratively and strategically.
- The Agreement's goals are to identify and address common priorities and build on existing policies, strategies, programs and delivery mechanisms to achieve common social and economic objectives in the City of Regina.
- The Agreement includes a framework to prioritize opportunities. Wherever possible, existing programs will be used to implement and deliver projects under the Agreement.
- There will be $10 million available over a five-year period. This includes:
- $5 million from the Government of Canada, delivered by Western Economic Diversification Canada;
- $2.5 million from the Province of Saskatchewan, delivered by Saskatchewan Government Relations;
- and $2.5 million from the City.
- The UDA funding will address gaps and be used to lever other funding sources in complementary programs that are addressing similar priorities, such as the Urban Aboriginal Strategy and the New Deal for Cities and Communities.
- A management committee, with representatives from the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan and the City of Regina, will administer and manage the Agreement to review project proposals. Consultations will take place with key stakeholders who will vary depending on the nature of the proposal.
- Projects are non-commercial and will fall under one of four theme areas:
- Building a better quality of life: Investments will actively involve Aboriginal youth in Regina's economy and strategically develop cultural and recreation opportunities that provide citywide benefits and enhance community partnerships, community capacity, organizational networks and infrastructure.
- Infrastructure: Investments in key assets will provide broad, citywide benefits to the economy and Regina residents' quality of life.
- Inner City Neighbourhoods and Downtown: Investments will revitalize commercial and residential Downtown areas. These will stabilize and guide neighbourhoods to make them safe, healthy and vibrant places to live and work.
- An Innovative and Sustainable Community: Investments will enhance linkages between the community and key players in innovation, research and technology. These will create a civic environment that fosters and supports innovative business activity and responsible environmental management.
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