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

Edmonton, Alberta
March 06, 2007

Corresponding Document: News release (2007-03-06)

Check Against Delivery

Ladies and Gentlemen, good afternoon, and thank you all for being here.

Every time I return home to Alberta I’m struck by the remarkable growth that is occurring here.

That growth is bringing tremendous benefits to the people of this province, but it also comes with its challenges . . . and infrastructure is primary among them.

Municipalities across Alberta – including those in the Capital Region – have said they need support for local infrastructure.

We have 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 $10.6 million in three municipal infrastructure projects in the Alberta Capital Region.

The projects include:

• $3 million for low-floor buses in Strathcona County to increase accessibility for seniors and people with physical disabilities,
• $4.6 million for the construction of three new bus terminals in the City of Edmonton, two of which will include “park and ride” lots, and
• $3 million to construct wetlands that will help protect water quality in the North Saskatchewan River.

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

We’re delivering on our promises by investing in infrastructure that will keep Canada’s communities healthy, vibrant places to live, work and raise families.

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.

This project is more than an investment in infrastructure—it’s also an investment in Western Canada’s greatest resource: its people.

Over the past year, we repeatedly demonstrated our commitment to getting things done for all Canadians, and today we further demonstrate our commitment through our investment of CAMRIF funding for the people living here in Edmonton and Strathcona County. 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.

Our government signed the softwood lumber deal with the United States that returned $4 billion dollars to Canadian companies.

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

Thanks to the leadership of Prime Minister Harper and to a historical majority vote in the House of Commons, the Quebecois were recognized as a nation within a united Canada.

And 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; the shootings of two Montreal police officers last week reminded us all of the importance of police work to protect us. Last week, I announced in Mayerthorpe the federal funding for the Memorial Park honouring the four fallen RCMP officers who were killed in March 2005.
• 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. 

These are challenges that no single order of government can solve on its own . . . they require solid and constructive partnerships that respect jurisdictional boundaries.

The Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund – launched last April – is a strong example of such a partnership.

Under the agreement, the Government of Canada 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 Strathcona County and the City of Edmonton for bringing these projects forward for funding consideration – as well as the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association and the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties for ensuring that projects funded through the Canada-Alberta Municipal Infrastructure Fund truly meet the needs of Alberta municipalities.

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

Thank you.