Over $400 M in infrastructure spending rolling out for projects from coast-to-coast-to-coast

The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, today announced that his department is investing more than $400 million over two years to repair and renovate PWGSC's federally owned infrastructure under Canada’s Economic Action Plan and Budget 2009. He also announced that Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) expects to issue contracts for 50 per cent of this year's funding by April 30, 2009.

Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, this government is turning our short-term challenges into long-term strengths," said Minister Paradis. "We are leveraging Budget 2009's significant investments to accelerate the rehabilitation of important federal buildings and bridges; creating a lasting legacy of sound infrastructure and creating jobs right across the country."

"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures and we are ensuring these projects get off the ground as quickly as possible while providing taxpayers with the accountability and transparency they expect and deserve," added the Minister.

PWGSC is investing in a wide array of important infrastructure projects – the rehabilitation and restoration of government-owned bridges and buildings, improving accessibility of federal buildings, and planning for the future of the Manège militaire. The Department will complete the projects over the next two years, helping to create jobs and stimulate the economy across Canada.

Since the tabling of Budget 2009 in late January, PWGSC has been working with its partners to establish plans across the country for hundreds of infrastructure projects – both large and small – to be put into motion beginning early April.

Under its Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada is investing $12 billion in new infrastructure funding for roads, bridges, broadband Internet access, electronic health records, laboratories and border crossings across Canada.