July 24, 2008

KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA — The Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia will jointly fund up to $231 million worth of National Highway System improvements in the province, under the Building Canada Plan. A number of specific highway improvements will be announced in the coming weeks, demonstrating both governments’ commitment to developing world-class infrastructure.

The first project to receive funding involves constructing a 9-kilometre four lane highway west of the existing 2-lane section of Highway 97 between Winfield and Oyama, British Columbia. The federal government will provide up to $33.6 million through the Building Canada Fund, and the Province will contribute $44.3 million toward the total $77.9 million cost. Work is scheduled to be completed by 2012.

The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, along with Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia, the Honourable Kevin Falcon, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure of British Columbia, Ron Cannan, MP for Kelowna-Lake Country, and Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Al Horning, made the announcement today.

“This announcement shows that the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia are effectively working together to help move people and goods in British Columbia,” said
Minister Day.

“These investments position the Government of Canada as a leader in expanding existing infrastructure capacity, reducing congestion, enhancing the safety of Canada’s transportation system and improving the flow of people and goods across the country,” said Minister Cannon.

“This investment is an outstanding example of our ongoing partnership with the federal government, and our continued commitment to deliver needed road projects throughout the province,” said Premier Campbell. “We’re enhancing B.C.’s highway system to improve safety, enhance the flow of goods and people, and tap into new opportunities in trade and tourism.”

“The Winfield-Oyama project is terrific news for this growing region,” said Minister Falcon. “The road upgrades will improve safety, stimulate further growth in our economy, and help to boost our competitiveness by moving people and goods more efficiently.”

“Highway 97 has long been identified as a priority for upgrades to increase safety. Today’s investment, along with other federal investments along Highway 97 in the Okanagan Valley, will result in improved safety for motorists,” said MP Cannan.

“Four-laning this stretch of highway will greatly improve safety and the flow of traffic along this important corridor,” said MLA Horning. “As well as improving the flow of commercial traffic, this upgrade will benefit tourism, and spur new economic activity for our region.”

Federal funding for these investments comes from the $33-billion Building Canada plan. Through this unprecedented plan, the federal government 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.

On November 6, 2007, the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia signed an Infrastructure Framework Agreement under Building Canada worth $2.2 billion for infrastructure initiatives from 2007 to 2014. The two governments also launched on July 7, 2008, a call for infrastructure projects in smaller communities to be funded under this larger plan.

For more information on the Building Canada plan, please visit www.buildingcanada.gc.ca.