Notes for an address by

The Honourable Lynne Yelich
Minister of  State for Western Economic Diversification

Funding Announcement

Corresponding Document: News release (2009-03-19)

Check Against Delivery

Thank you and good morning.

Recently, MP Andrew Scheer and provincial Minister Huthinson announced a joint federal/provincial investment of more than $63 million to fund projects worth $95 million, to improve local roads, water and wastewater projects in Saskatchewan. 

As your Member of Parliament for Blackstrap, I am very pleased to be here today with Moe Kirzinger, Mayor for the Village of Viscount, to announce that the Village of Viscount will receive $830,000 towards a local project to improve water and wastewater services.

There is no doubt that residents will notice the positive impact these improvements will have on their day-to-day lives as this project will give Viscount residents access to clean, safe drinking water. 

This funding commitment reaffirms the importance of coming together to accomplish significant and positive change in our communities, our province and our country. 

It reminds us that to get things done — we must work together.

With today’s economic uncertainty, today’s investment is an example of how our Government is reducing red tape, creating jobs for Saskatchewan people, and getting shovels in the ground for the next two construction seasons.

Now, more than ever, we need to invest in quality infrastructure to create a strong province and country. 
It is certainly an exciting week for me.

I am pleased to be back in my home province of Saskatchewan where yesterday I was able to make a $3.8 million investment  for new research facilities at the Canadian Light Source.

And later today I will be in the Town of Dundurn to make an announcement for their water treatment plant.

Through these local investments, I know our residents can look forward to increased economic opportunities.

Immediate action on infrastructure projects like these provides a short-term economic stimulus that creates jobs and builds long- term benefits in communities like Viscount.

And, because we know that communities have immediate needs, our Government is accelerating funding and approval processes to ensure that money flows faster and more efficiently.

Our Government will also be introducing changes to the federal regulatory framework to increase efficiencies in assessing environmental and other impacts of infrastructure projects without compromising the environment.

We are taking all of these steps because we recognize the importance of having modern, world-class infrastructure.
And we know that infrastructure projects will help stimulate the economy. That is why, in Budget 2009, the Government of Canada announced close to $12 billion in new infrastructure funding.

This includes a new $4 billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, a $1 billion Green Infrastructure Fund and a commitment to increase and accelerate funding for infrastructure projects.
 
Our Government is providing resources for communities and cities to help protect and promote a clean environment, to increase their economic prosperity, and to build a stronger Canada for generations to come.
 
Very simply put, cleaner and safer drinking water for the residents of Viscount is the most important benefit of this project.

Access to safe drinking water is what this is all about.

This project will also stimulate Viscount’s local economy and create jobs.

To our community, I would like to congratulate you on receiving funding for this project.

I look forward to seeing shovels in the ground soon, watching as construction progresses and continuing to celebrate our region’s successes with you. 

Thank you.  Merci.