Canada and Alberta Make Significant Stimulus Infrastructure Investment

Funding will create jobs, boost local economy

• Backgrounder

Hinton, Alberta, September 24, 2009 – The Honourable Rob Merrifield, Minister of State (Transport), and the Honourable Luke Ouellette, Minister of Transportation, today announced that communities across Alberta will benefit from nearly $42.4 million in joint federal-provincial investments for key infrastructure, thanks to a partnership between the governments of Canada and Alberta. Funding for these shovel-ready infrastructure projects is made available under the new Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, part of Canada's Economic Action Plan.

“Our Government is taking extraordinary action to stimulate our economy and create jobs for Canadians,” said Minister Merrifield. “We understand the importance of investing in roads, highways and other infrastructure. We will continue to work with the Government of Alberta to ensure communities across the province remain competitive.”

“The investment in highway improvements will address much-needed projects in the province and maintain and create jobs for Albertans,” said Minister Ouellette. “Alberta is pleased to continue to work in co-operation with the federal government on this and other shared funding programs.”

The Government of Canada's funding is being provided under the national $4 billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund and is aimed at getting shovels in the ground for infrastructure projects across Canada that can be completed by March 2011. Today's announcement includes 29 new infrastructure projects in Alberta that will receive almost $21.2 million from each of the federal and provincial governments under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. Projects being funded today will improve road safety and extend the life of highways and local roads, as well as improve provincial park facilities.

“This partnership is an important one between our governments,” said Cindy Ady, Minister of Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation. “By working together, we are able to improve a number of trails and provincial campgrounds and facilities. As we committed with Alberta's Plan for Parks, safety and accessibility will be key considerations with these projects.”

The Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan is accelerating and expanding the existing federal investment of $33 billion in infrastructure with almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over two years.

Central to Alberta's Budget 2009 is Alberta's Capital Plan, which supports $7.7 billion in 2009-10 to build roads, health care facilities, schools and other public infrastructure. This year's investment alone will support more than 80,000 jobs across the economy, directly benefitting Albertans and Alberta communities. This capital investment complements the government's four-point plan for economic recovery, which calls for keeping a close eye on government spending, drawing down savings to protect the programs and services Albertans depend on, continuing to invest in public infrastructure to support jobs and the economy, and promoting the province to a global market, while working to reduce the costs of doing business.

To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

For more information, contact:

Chris Hilton
Office of Rob Merrifield Minister of State (Transport)
613-991-0700

Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148

Heather Kaszuba
Alberta Transportation
780-422-7070

Camille Weleschuk
Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation
780-427-2206

Backgrounder
INFRASTRUCTURE STIMULUS FUND IN ALBERTA

Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government has established a new $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund that provides funding to provincial, territorial and municipal construction-ready infrastructure rehabilitation projects. Funding is available for two years for projects that will be built during the 2009 and 2010 construction seasons.

About the Program

The Infrastructure Stimulus Fund complements existing federal infrastructure funding by focusing on short-term objectives for economic stimulus. To further this goal of rapid economic stimulus, the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund will focus on construction–readiness as important project selection criteria. The full $4 billion is being distributed in fiscal years 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. Projects will focus largely on the rehabilitation of existing assets such as water, wastewater, public transit, highways, roads, culture, parks, and trails.

For provincial assets, the federal and provincial governments will each contribute up to fifty per cent of eligible costs. For municipal projects, the federal government will contribute up to one-third of eligible costs, with the province and municipalities expected to contribute the remaining two-thirds.

Infrastructure Stimulus Fund at Work in Alberta

On September 24, 2009, Canada and Alberta announced a joint investment of nearly $42.4 million, nearly $21.2 million from each the federal and provincial government for 29 highway infrastructure and park facilities projects that will create jobs and help build stronger communities.

Projects to be funded under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund

1. Parks and Trails ($5.4 million in total eligible costs)
   • Pigeon Lake Provincial Park Sewage System Upgrade
   • Sandy McNabb Campground Refurbishments
   • Lundbreck Falls Provincial Recreation Area Trail Upgrades
   • Red Lodge Water Treatment Plant System Upgrade
   • Saskatoon Island Provincial Park Trail Enhancements
   • O'Brien Provincial Park Trail Improvement
   • William A Switzer Provincial Park Water System Upgrade
   • Waskahigan Provincial Recreation Area Group Use Area Upgrade
   • Cypress Hills Provincial Park Water Tower Replacement
   • Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park New Water Supply System
   • Aspen Beach Provincial Park Shower Building Upgrades
   • Lakeland Provincial Recreation Area Playground at Touchwood Lake
   • Smoke Lake and Iosegun Lake Provincial Recreation Areas Campground Upgrades
2. Highway Infrastructure ($37 million in total eligible costs)
   • Hwy 16:10, from Hwy 22 West - Hwy 22 East
   • Hwy 33 - Swan Hills to South of 18th Baseline
   • Hwy 623:4 - From East of Village of New Sarepta West of PAR 109
   • UAR 108 - Cadogan Access
   • Hwy 16:10 L1 - Hwy 753 - West of Hwy 16A
   • Hwy 862 - South of Gem to Hwy 556
   • Hwy 836 - Hwy 9 to South of Carbon
   • Hwy 62:2 - US Border - North of US Border
   • Hwy 867 - West of St Lina to County Boundary
   • Hwy 16 - West of Hillview Rd (231 St) to East of Hwy 216 (East Bound Lane)
   • Hwy 22:32 - Town of Mayerthorpe (North of Hwy 43)
   • Hwy 602 - Hwy 36 to Alliance
   • Hwy 52:2 - From Town of Raymond
   • Hwy 12 - Town of Stettler (various locations)
   • wy 845:2 - From Town of Raymond: Hwy 52- Raymond
   • Hwy 62 - US Border to South of Jensen Reservoir (Selective Side sloping)