As the Member of Parliament for Provencher, I applaud our Conservative Government for its commitment to investing in Canada’s infrastructure. This funding will help improve the quality of life for our families, enhance economic competitiveness and encourage job creation in communities across Southeastern Manitoba.
In 2007, our Government provided $33 billion in stable, flexible and predictable funding across the country. Since coming to power, our Government has almost tripled the average annual federal funding for provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure. No other Government in the history of Canada has made similar levels of investment.
Last week, the Honourable Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs highlighted important details of the New Building Canada Plan. I would like to share with you some of those highlights.
The New Building Canada Plan is the largest and longest federal infrastructure plan in our nation’s history stretching over a 10 year period and committing $53 billion in funding across the country. The New Building Canada Plan will continue to support infrastructure projects that foster economic growth, job creation and long-term prosperity.
The New Building Canada Plan includes the federal Gas Tax Fund, the Goods and Services Tax Rebate for Municipalities, the New Building Canada Fund and the P3 Canada Fund. Below are some important features of the funding:
Now that Minister Lebel has confirmed the policy framework, he will work with provinces, territories, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to develop parameters of the New Building Canada Fund Terms and Conditions. The New Building Canada Plan is expected to launch and be in a position to accept proposals Spring of 2014.