MP Dean Del Mastro Welcomes The Announcement Of The Framework Agreement With The Province Of Ontario For Building Canada

July 24, 2008

LONDON, ONTARIO — Dean Del Mastro, Member of Parliament for Peterborough Riding was in London, Ontario today as the governments of Canada and Ontario announced the signing of an infrastructure Framework Agreement worth more than $6.2 billion under Building Canada, the Government of Canada’s long-term infrastructure plan. The Plan will help address infrastructure needs and priorities in Ontario until 2014.

The Honourable Lawrence Cannon - Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable George Smitherman - Ontario Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and infrastructure, the Honourable Jim Flaherty - Minister of Finance, and the Honourable Dwight Duncan - Ontario Minister of Finance, participated in today’s announcement.

“The Building Canada infrastructure plan will help support economic growth, a cleaner environment and the overall prosperity of all Ontarians,” said Minister Cannon. “Substantial infrastructure funding was long overdue in this country and we’re getting it done. Clean drinking water, safer highways, expanded public transit and improved connectivity are all clear examples of the concrete results that Building Canada will deliver to the people, cities and communities of Ontario.”

“As Canada’s Minister of Finance, I appreciate the importance of investing in infrastructure, that’s why we are making the largest single federal investment in public infrastructure since World War Two, that’s why we made federal gas tax funding permanent, and that’s why we have established the Government of Canada’s first public, private partnership office,” said Minister Flaherty.

“I’m truly happy we’ve signed the Framework Agreement with the Province of Ontario,” said Canada’s Environment Minister John Baird. “It will greatly benefit our cities and communities by helping ensure a more competitive economy, stronger communities, a cleaner environment, and a more prosperous Ontario.”

Through its unprecedented $33-billion Building Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada will provide long-term, stable and predictable funding to help meet infrastructure needs across Canada. Building Canada will support a stronger, safer and better country.

Canada and Ontario agree on the need for high-quality, modern public infrastructure that contributes to long-term economic growth, a clean environment and strong communities. They also agree on the need for long-term planning to strategically address infrastructure needs in priority areas, including water, wastewater, public transit, the core National Highway System, green energy, as well as priorities that enhance Ontario’s public infrastructure, such as infrastructure for small and northern communities.

Canada and Ontario will engage municipal leaders in the development and delivery of the Building Canada plan in Ontario. Parties fully support the value of municipal participation, and will work with Ontario’s municipalities as represented by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the City of Toronto to address infrastructure needs in Ontario.

The Peterborough Commuter Rail Line is listed as a named item for completion under the Building Canada Agreement. This follows the announcement of March 27, 2008, in which the Governments of Canada and Ontario announced a commitment to initiate a joint study for a Peterborough commuter rail line, as part of the Government of Canada’s Budget 2008 Public Transit Capital Trust. The study is expected to be completed within one year. The commuter rail project will be jointly funded by Canada and Ontario, with Canada and Ontario equally sharing in all eligible capital costs up to a maximum of $150 million each, subject to the successful completion of a federal and provincial due diligence review of the project.

“This historic framework agreement between the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario will provide for the future economy of Ontario.” stated MP Del Mastro. “The Government of Canada is working together with all its partners in all levels of government to build a safer, stronger and greener Ontario - an Ontario that can compete on the global stage and provide a strong economy that we all have become accustomed to. Locally, the provision for commuter rail between the City of Peterborough and the City of Toronto is a substantial investment that is being made between both levels of government and I congratulate the Ministers’ for including the project as a named item in the Building Canada announcement today. Today was a historic day for Canada, a historic day for Ontario and a historic day for the Peterborough Riding. I look forward to re-instating commuter rail between Peterborough and Toronto as well as all the future projects that will be completed in the Peterborough Riding thanks to the Building Canada Agreement.”