November 16, 2007

When details of the Build Canada Fund were released on November 6, Simcoe North M.P. Bruce Stanton was quick to register his satisfaction with brownfield redevelopment being included as an eligible project.

“For some time now, I have lobbied my colleagues in Caucus, in particular Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Lawrence Cannon, to include brownfield redevelopment in infrastructure funding programs. I am very encouraged it will be eligible under the $8.8 billion dollar Building Canada Fund, a first for any federal-provincial infrastructure program,” Stanton commented. “I would also like to commend the efforts of Mr. Mark Moore, a then grade 7 student from Couchiching Heights Public School, and others for being a strong advocates for this new measure.”

“Once the Government of Ontario concludes a framework agreement with the federal government relating to how projects will be applied for, evaluated, and distributed, municipalities in Simcoe North including the City of Orillia and the MURF project, will be able to apply for funding for brownfield redevelopment. This good news for municipalities such as the City of Orillia.”

So far, the federal government has concluded framework agreements with their provincial counterparts in Nova Scotia and British Columbia. Negotiations with the other provinces are ongoing.

News Release:

Canada's New Government Takes Final Steps on Historic $33 Billion Infrastructure Plan

Ottawa, Ontario - Canada's New Government is moving forward on its $33 billion "Building Canada" infrastructure plan. Over the summer, meetings and negotiations will take place with provinces and territories to conclude agreements on the new funding programs announced in Budget 2007.

"Our next step is to move the plan details to provinces, territories and the municipal sector and enter into discussions, so that we can implement the new infrastructure plan and invest where it's most needed in the
country," said the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "Today, I can say that we are on target and beginning discussions with a view to conclude agreements with provinces and territories as quickly as possible."

Worth $33 billion between 2007 and 2014, "Building Canada" provides more funding for provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure, and for a longer period of time than any federal government since World War II. It includes base funding of $17 billion for municipalities, such as the Gas Tax Fund, which has been extended to 2014 and will be delivered at $2 billion a year starting in 2010. It also includes the 100 per cent GST rebate municipalities will continue to receive.

The discussions that are starting now will focus on the parameters of the programs, including eligible recipients and project selection criteria:

• Investments in the core National Highway System, public transit, clean water and sewage treatment infrastructure, green energy, among other categories, through the $8.8 billion Building Canada Fund, that will help support large strategic projects as well as smaller-scale municipal projects;
• Base funding of $25 million a year equal per jurisdiction that will help provinces and territories address infrastructure priorities; and
• Investments of $2.1 billion through the Gateways and Border Crossings Fund that will improve the flow of goods between Canada and the rest of the world. This merit-based fund will help enhance infrastructure at key locations, such as major border crossings between Canada and the United States, and the Atlantic gateway. Four hundred million dollars from this fund is dedicated to the construction of the access road between Highway 401 and the new Windsor-Detroit border crossing.
  

""Building Canada" will focus on projects of national importance for a stronger, safer and healthier country, such as initiatives for cleaner air and water, a stronger economy through modern infrastructure and a better quality of life for our communities," added the Minister. "It also demonstrates how Canada's New Government's strong partnership approach with provinces, territories and municipalities delivers real results for Canadians."

To this end, the Government of Canada will also be discussing how all governments will demonstrate accountability to Canadians and identify infrastructure priorities in areas of importance to Canadians and how innovative funding solutions, such as public-private partnerships can be explored to fund projects. These discussions are the continuation of a collaborative, flexible and predictable approach to long-term infrastructure planning.

Brownfield Redevelopment Background:

The redevelopment of brownfields - abandoned, or underutilized commercial or industrial sites - offers many potential community benefits, including affordable housing and new sources of economic activity. Redevelopment of these sites into higher-density, livable spaces can also provide an alternative to urban sprawl.

There are, however, barriers to brownfield development. One key challenge is that it is difficult for would-be developers to gain access to capital in the early stages due to environmental liability risks. Public investments in brownfields can help address such barriers.

Building Canada investments will be directed towards projects designed to contribute to:

• The removal or neutralization of the negative effects of brownfields on communities and the environment by remediating and redeveloping these properties in a sustainable manner;
• More intense land use within cities and communities.