Canada Invests In the National Capital Commission

Announces start of Government-wide Consultations for Part II of Canada's Economic Action Plan

• Backgrounder

Ottawa, Ontario, January 6, 2010 – The Honourable John Baird, Canada’s Transport and Infrastructure Minister and Member of Parliament for Ottawa West-Nepean, today announced that the Government of Canada will provide up to $35 million from the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund for 14 National Capital Commission (NCC) projects. Minister Baird also announced that over the course of the next few weeks, a number of Ministers will be meeting with Canadians across the country to review the progress of phase one of the Economic Action Plan and to seek input for meeting the government’s objectives of the second phase of the Plan.

“With our economy as fragile as it is, today’s announcement is an investment in our Nation’s Capital parks, roadways and facilities, including our world famous Rideau Canal, which will improve and update them for future generations, and also stimulate our local economy and create jobs,” said Minister Baird. “As we enter the second phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our priority will be to continue its rapid implementation with projects such as this. At the same time, we will also look ahead at future challenges, which include restoring balanced budgets once our economy is fully recovered and building a strong foundation for our economic future.”

Some of the projects receiving stimulus funding from today’s announcement include replacing existing public skateway facilities along the historic Rideau Canal ($3.75 million), repairs to the Portage Bridge connecting Ottawa and Gatineau ($4.05 million), and rehabilitating the Rockcliffe Parkway retaining wall ($6.3 million).

“The National Capital Commission is pleased to receive this funding that will enable us to move these projects forward sooner than our current budgets would have allowed,” said Marie Lemay, Chief Executive Officer of the NCC. “Projects like these are important because they assist us in preserving the Region’s built heritage, in maintaining the Capital’s assets, and in improving the capital experience of all Canadians.”

Demonstrating its commitment to stimulating the economy and creating jobs, the Government of Canada, under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, is moving forward with a number of large-scale infrastructure programs to assist Canadians when they need it most. Canada’s Economic Action Plan is accelerating and expanding the existing Building Canada infrastructure plan of $33 billion with almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus.

Contacts:

James Kusie
Office of Canada’s Transport and Infrastructure Minister
613-991-0700

Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148

Kathryn Keyes
NCC Media Relations
613-239-5636

Additional information

For more information on investments in infrastructure, please visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.

For more information about the Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan, please visit
www.actionplan.gc.ca.

Backgrounder
National Capital Commission Projects

The Government of Canada is setting aside up to $35 million through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund for 14 National Capital Commission projects:

1. Victoria Island Carbide Mill Masonry Rehabilitation (estimated project cost: $1.5 million): masonry stabilization and repainting of key portions of this significant structure, built in 1899.
2. Rideau Canal Skateway (estimated project cost: $3.75 million): replacement of the existing public skateway facilities (washrooms, info kiosks, etc.) placed onto the Rideau Canal Skateway each winter.
3. Vincent Massey Park (estimated project cost: $3 million): rehabilitation of the concession and bus shelter buildings, plus select improvements to adjoining recreational pathways, parking facilities, and landscape renewal.
4. Hog's Back Park Washroom Pavilion (estimated project cost: $3 million): Rehabilitation of the existing public washroom and concession buildings, including significant universal accessibility upgrades.
5. Lady Grey Drive Retaining Wall (estimated project cost: $1.5 million): Rehabilitation of a highly deteriorated dry limestone retaining wall.
6. MacDonald Cartier Bridge / Ottawa Belvedere Wall (estimated project cost: $225,000): Rehabilitation of masonry retaining walls of belvedere located on south approach of MacDonald Cartier Bridge.
7. Aviation Parkway Pavement (estimated project cost: $6 million): Full rehabilitation of four kilometres of four-lane parkway.
8. Rockcliffe Parkway North Retaining Wall (estimated project cost: $6.3 million): Rehabilitation of masonry and concrete walls, circa 1920, over a length of 550 metres retaining Rockcliffe Parkway.
9. Portage Bridge Slab Underside Repairs (estimated project cost: $4.05 million): Life cycle repairs to underside of the bridge, as well as repairs to bridge expansion joint, concrete deck, cracks in piers and slab bearings, and seismic restraint improvements.
10. Ottawa River Parkway Bridges Repairs (estimated project cost: $1.5 million): Life cycle repairs to two structures of Parkdale overpass and two structures of Carleton Street pedestrian underpass.
11. Ottawa River Parkway - Carling to Britannia (estimated project cost: $750,000): Rehabilitation of the existing segment of recreational pathway from Britannia to Carling to meet current standards.
12. Major's Hill Park Retaining Wall (estimated project cost: $450,000): Stabilization of weathered limestone cliff along Pioneer Road.
13. Greenbelt Recreational Pathway- Pine Grove Sector (estimated project cost: $1.5 million): Planning, design and construction of up to 10 kilometres of the Greenbelt Pathway between Highway 417 and Albion Road through the Pine Grove Forest.
14. Confederation Boulevard Phase I Rehabilitation / St. Patrick, second segment (estimated project cost: $1.125 million): Repair work for Phase I of Confederation Boulevard primarily consists of the replacement of granite pavers with 100 mm concrete ones, and the renewal of the tree pit alignments.

Federal funding for these projects is conditional on Treasury Board approval.