GANDER, Newfoundland, October 13, 2000- On behalf of the Honourable Lucienne Robillard, President of the Treasury Board of Canada and Minister responsible for Infrastructure and Member of Parliament for Westmount-Ville Marie, the Honourable George Baker, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), with his provincial colleague the Honourable Beaton Tulk, Minister of Development and Rural Renewal and Deputy Premier, participated in the formal signing of the six-year Infrastructure Canada-Newfoundland agreement in Gander today.

The agreement will mean a total investment of $153.738 million for infrastructure in Newfoundland, with equal contributions from the federal, provincial and municipal governments.

The Ministers agreed the partnership is an excellent example of how different levels of government can work together for the benefit of Canadians.

"The Infrastructure Canada-Newfoundland partnership is a reflection of our shared commitment to building a more dynamic economy, and improving quality of life for Canadians in all parts of Canada," said Minister Baker.

"This agreement, like the National Child Benefit, is a good example of partnerships involving different levels of government and communities," said Minister Joan-Marie Aylward, of the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs. "Since there is a finite amount of funding available we will have to set priorities and we will look to the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities to help us with that task."

The first priority for Infrastructure Canada investment in Newfoundland, as in the rest of Canada, is green municipal infrastructure. "Infrastructure Canada evolved from the grassroots, and will continue to do so. Municipalities know their needs best," said Minister Baker, the federal regional minister for Newfoundland. "This agreement will help improve municipal infrastructure throughout the province and could address some of our needs in the areas of water, sewage and waste management," said Minister Tulk. "The majority of these projects will be initiated by the municipalities themselves and mechanisms are in place to ensure local government input throughout the life of the program."

With the signing of the agreement, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) takes responsibility for federal government involvement in the implementation of Infrastructure Canada in Newfoundland, under the direction of implementing minister Baker, Secretary of State for ACOA.

The Department of Provincial and Municipal Affairs under the direction of Minister Joan-Marie Aylward will be responsible for delivery of the program.

The Infrastructure Canada-Newfoundland agreement provides for the establishment of a joint management committee to administer the program, and recommend projects for funding.

As part of its commitment to undertake initiatives that make a long-term contribution to a dynamic economy, the federal government has allocated $2.65 billion for its share of a new, cost-shared physical infrastructure program. Infrastructure Canada deals with municipal infrastructure. A strategic highways component, with funding of up to $600 million of the total allocation, is administered by Transport Canada.

Through the Infrastructure Canada partnership, federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments will invest a total of $6 billion in municipal infrastructure in urban and rural communities across Canada.

Chantal Scarlett
Media Relations
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
(613)957-2391

or

Russell Milon
Press Secretary
Office of the President of the
Treasury Board of Canada
and Minister Responsible for
Infrastructure
613)957-2666

Glen Bruce
Director of Public Relations
Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs
709)729-1983
 

Infrastructure Canada Program Fact Sheet In the last Budget, the Government of Canada announced $2.65 billion for physical infrastructure. Of this amount, up to $600 million will be allocated to strategic highways infrastructure to be administered by Transport Canada. With contributions from our provincial, territorial and municipal partners, and the private sector, Infrastructure Canada will generate at least $6 billion in total infrastructure investment.

The Government of Canada will contribute up to one-third of the cost of individual projects. This contribution could be higher in some instances, as long as Government of Canada funding does not exceed one-third of the total cost of projects funded in a given fiscal year. The Infrastructure Canada program is based on partnerships with provincial and territorial governments and municipal associations. All orders of government have played an important part in the design of this new program. Infrastructure Canada has been designed with a bottom-up approach. Accordingly, municipalities will play an important role in the program. The majority of projects will be selected from proposals submitted by municipalities to ensure that the most pressing local needs will be addressed. The federal and provincial governments may also propose projects, up to a maximum of 20 per cent of the Infrastructure Canada funds, to ensure that regional projects, involving more than one municipality, are not overlooked.

Initial consultations with provinces and territories, municipal associations and other stakeholders confirmed a commitment on the part of all jurisdictions to make a long-term contribution to improving the quality of life and building a more dynamic economy for Canadians. Infrastructure Canada=s first priority is green municipal infrastructure. Investments within the Agreen@ envelope will include projects related to water and wastewater systems, water management, solid waste management and recycling, and capital expenditures to retrofit or improve the energy efficiency of buildings and facilities owned by local governments. The Infrastructure Canada-Newfoundland agreement specifies a minimum 60 per cent of the total value of all approved projects must be invested in green municipal infrastructure.

Secondary priorities of the program include local transportation, cultural and recreational facilities, infrastructure supporting tourism, rural and remote telecommunications, high-speed Internet access for local public institutions and affordable housing.

To ensure the infrastructure needs of rural communities are considered, a minimum 56 per cent of total approved costs for all projects in Newfoundland must be invested in projects proposed by rural municipalities.

As a next step towards the implementation of the Infrastructure Canada program, a management committee will be established in each jurisdiction, with equal representation from the federal and provincial or territorial governments. The management committee will accept and process project applications submitted by municipal governments in each jurisdiction. Information about how to submit project applications will be available soon.

For More Information: Visit the Infrastructure Canada Web Site: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/ino-bni Call the Government of Canada Information line (toll free): 1 8OO O-Canada (1 800 622-6232) TTY/TDD 1 800 465-7735