Notes for an address by

The Honourable Lynne Yelich
Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification

RInC Funding Announcement/Ground-breaking

Corresponding Document: News Release (2010-07-07)

Check Against Delivery

Thank you, Piet. [emcee].

Good morning everyone.

It is a great pleasure to be here today on behalf of our government and my department, Western Economic Diversification Canada.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our government took decisive steps to protect incomes, create jobs, ease credit markets, and help workers and communities get back on their feet.

Already, in this, our second and final year of our action plan, British Columbians and all Canadians are reaping the economic and employment benefits associated with some 16,000 stimulus projects across the country.

I am pleased to announce, here in Vancouver, that our government is taking another step towards economic recovery by announcing an investment of $2 million in our local parks.

The first investment of $1 million will upgrade Jericho Beach Park and Memorial South Park by installing field lighting and synthetic turf.

The advantages of artificial turf are tremendous - not only does it provide a longer-lasting field surface for users, but it also reduces maintenance and conserves water.

A second investment of $1 million will install recreational equipment, playgrounds and pedestrian pathways at Grandview Park, Norquay Park and right here at Fraserview Park.

I was pleased to learn that park design decisions have been done in close consultation with local residents and organizations like the Boys and Girls Club who call this park home.

As an active resident of a small, tight knit community myself, I know that sense of pride that comes with seeing your neighbourhood undergo change for the better.

The improvements that will be apparent here in six months will serve as an excellent illustration of federal and municipal governments working together to address community needs.

I hope that once renovations are complete, Fraserview Park will see a greater number of residents taking advantage of all it will have to offer.

These projects are funded through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program, or RInC as it is known.

Over a two-year period, we are investing $500 million to improve recreational infrastructure in communities across the country.

This includes 224 projects right here in B.C. and 718 in total across Western Canada.

And while Canada is already showing signs of recovery, the recovery is fragile.

Just as our government is committed to completing its Economic Action Plan spending, we are equally committed to addressing significant fiscal pressures with the deficit.

Rising to the challenge of the worst economic downturn in half a century, we will continue to work together to keep people employed, and to ensure a speedy, robust, and durable recovery.

Thank you and congratulations!