Notes for an address by

The Honourable Rona Ambrose
President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada,
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and
Minister of Western Economic Diversification

Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure
Fund Funding Announcement

Spruce Grove, Alberta
March 09, 2007

Corresponding Document: News release (2007-03-09)

Check Against Delivery

Good afternoon, and thank you all for being here.

I am delighted to be here today on behalf of Canada’s New Government and I always appreciate an opportunity to come back home to Alberta . . . and it’s especially enjoyable when I have good news to share with the people of Spruce Grove.

Municipalities across the West have said they need support for local infrastructure. Canada’s New Government has heard this request and we have responded.

Today, I am pleased to announce that Canada’s New Government, through the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, is investing $2.87 million in new outdoor recreation facilities for Spruce Grove.

These funds will be used for the first phase of development for a 22-acre soccer and football facility and a 60-acre venue for cultural and special events. 

This investment is just one example of the way we’re delivering on our promise to make Canada’s communities vibrant and productive places to live, work and raise families.

Just last month, to promote fitness, sport and healthy living among Canadians of all ages, Canada’s New Government announced $5 million over two years to support the renewal of ParticipACTION.  Through this initiative, we are working in partnerships to build momentum towards a more active and healthy Canada.

Our New Government also introduced the Child Fitness Tax Credit.  This measure helps parents to offset some of the costs associated with fitness activities and start children down the road to a lifetime of healthy, active living. 

Canada’s New Government recognizes that the future of this country lies in the success of its communities, both large and small.

Over the past year, we repeatedly demonstrated our commitment to getting things done for all Canadians, including the people living here in Spruce Grove.  We have delivered on our promises – and kept a clear focus on our priorities.

We started by refocusing spending on priorities and reducing the national debt.  We moved forward to implement accountability measures, improve national security and ensure we have clean air for our children to breathe. 

We’re restoring the confidence of taxpayers by ensuring responsible financial management and, most important of all, by keeping the economy strong. 

And as outlined in our national economic plan – Advantage Canada – we are building a strong economy for all Canadians through long-term, predictable federal funding for infrastructure.

Now let’s talk about the New Government agenda.  Last month, Prime Minister Harper pointed out five priority areas that our government will focus on in months ahead:

• Further tax reductions as part of a comprehensive economic agenda;
• Continued steps to tackle crime;
• Further strengthening Canada’s global image and rebuilding the Canadian Forces;
• Strengthening the federation by addressing Senate reform and fiscal balance with the provinces; and
• Clear, decisive steps to protect our environment. 

We will continue to build a stronger, safer, better Canada.

We will do that by ensuring the continued health of these diverse communities – by renewing and improving the infrastructure on which they depend.

This is a challenge that no single order of government can address on its own. Our success as a nation depends on forging solid and constructive partnerships that respect jurisdictional boundaries.

The current Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund – launched last April – is just such a partnership.

Under the agreement, Canada’s New Government and the Government of Alberta are jointly investing a total of $176 million in public infrastructure.

With matching municipal contributions, the fund has a potential value of $264 million.

I’m pleased that our partners are here to share the results of our collaborative efforts and celebrate what can be accomplished when all orders of government work together to meet the needs of citizens.

I would like to thank the City of Spruce Grove for bringing this project forward for funding consideration, as well as the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association and the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties for their role in ensuring that projects supported by the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure

Fund truly meet the needs of municipalities, large and small.

Together, we are committed to sustaining and building vibrant, healthy communities for the benefit of future generations.

Thank you.