Notes for an address by

The Honourable Lynne Yelich
Minister of  State for Western Economic Diversification

Funding Announcement

Corresponding document: News Release (2008-03-17)

Check Against Delivery

Thank you and good afternoon.

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 MLA Greg Brkich and Reeve Fred Wilson to announce that Dundurn and area will receive $6 million  towards a local project to improve water and wastewater services in four communities: the Town of Dundurn, the Regional Municipality of Dundurn and the Resort Villages of Thode and Shields.

There is no doubt that residents will notice the positive impact these improvements will have on their day-to-day lives. 

This funding commitment reaffirms the importance of coming together to accomplish significant and positive change in our communities, our province and our country.
 
And, during today’s economic climate, this imperative funding 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 pipe and pavement projects  to create a strong province and country. 
This morning I had the pleasure of making a similar announcement for the Town of Viscount.

There we are investing $400,000 towards upgrading the technology and increasing the capacity of the water treatment plant.
Through these local investments announced today here in my constituency, residents across our region can look forward to cleaner water.

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

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 such  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.
 
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.