Canada-Ontario Partnership Creates Jobs, Stimulates Economy in Waterloo Region

BRESLAU, ONTARIO - Residents of The Regional Municipality of Waterloo will benefit from federal and provincial infrastructure funding to construct a new combined Airport/Fleet Maintenance and Fire Hall Services Facility, announced today by Harold Albrecht, MP for Kitchener-Conestoga and Leeanna Pendergast, MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga. The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $2,366,666.67 million in the project.

"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, our Government is getting shovels in the ground here in Waterloo Region and getting the economy moving as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan," said MP Albrecht. "We are helping to create jobs today by investing in the new Airport/Fleet Maintenance and Fire Hall Services Facility.  This announcement builds on the projects we have announced across the region, including needed new buildings at our post-secondary institutions, and road and bridge renewal.  The common element is that these projects were identified by our local partners as their priorities."

"Under the strong leadership of Premier Dalton McGuinty, Ontario is making historical infrastructure investments across the province and we have been since 2003," said Leeanna Pendergast, MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga. "Investing in this project will create jobs now and help stimulate our local economy. Over the longer term we are also working hard to create a competitive advantage that attracts business and strengthens Ontario's economy."

Regional Chair Ken Seilling was happy to see the improvements to the airport moving forward, saying that, "We are pleased that the Federal and Provincial Governments are partnering with us to improve facilities at our Airport, an important part of our economic infrastructure."

The new facility will meet precision approach landing regulations, and accommodate on-site emergency vehicles.  Ridership at the airport continues to grow.  These investments will ensure it has the infrastructure necessary for continued safe, predictable operations.

Federal and provincial funding for this project will come from the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund which provides funding to provincial, territorial and municipal construction-ready infrastructure rehabilitation projects that will be built during the 2009 and 2010 construction seasons.

The Governments of Canada and Ontario are investing close to $11 billion in joint funding for more than 2,600 projects through such programs as the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, Building Canada Fund - Communities Component and Major Infrastructure Component, Knowledge Infrastructure Program and RINC/Ontario REC. These historical investments will help support job creation and strengthen Ontario's economy.