September 25, 2009

MISSION – Canada, B.C. and the District of Mission have approved a joint investment of $5,951,025 through the Building Canada Fund and Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to get shovels in the ground on two projects.  These projects will benefit local residents by creating jobs, helping to boost the local the economy, and build longer-lasting local infrastructure.

“By assisting Mission in developing their infrastructure, we are not only building a great place to live but we are also stimulating the local economy,” says MP for Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission, Randy Kamp. “These projects are critical to the development of the region and this round of funding will help to complete them in a timely manner.”

“Creating jobs and assisting our communities as they work on expanding is what this government is committed to doing,” says MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission, Marc Dalton. “We need to make sure that Mission is well positioned to rebound out of the economic downturn and this partnership will do exactly that.”

“Cedar Valley is an area of rapid growth in Mission and upgrading Cedar Valley Road is critical to ensuring safety and efficient traffic flows,” says MLA for Abbotsford-Mission, Randy Hawes. “This is another great example of three levels of government working together as one.”

“I am very appreciative of the senior levels of government coming together and working with our local government to serve the taxpayers of Mission,” says Mission mayor, James Atebe. “These projects could not come at a better time, a time when our local economy welcomes assistance whether it is our small businesses or the recently unemployed.

“These two projects are not only providing stimulus and creating jobs in Mission but they are also improving the safety of our communities and local roadways.”

The combined Federal, Provincial and Municipal funds for infrastructure projects are as follows:

• $3,881,025 to reconstruct and widen Cedar Road to four lanes between Cherry Avenue and Tunbridge Avenue to accommodate increases in traffic due to development of the area.  A widened road and left turn lanes will enhance driver safety. New sidewalks, curbs and gutters and lighting will benefit pedestrians, and new bicycle lanes and bus stops encourage the use of non-vehicular transportation.
• $2,070,000 for the resurfacing of 20 lane-kilometres of Highway 7, from Mission to Dewdney. This will extend the life of the roadways by 15 years thereby avoiding full roadway reconstruction at four times the cost of the resurfacing.

The Government of Canada's 2009 Economic Action Plan includes a vast array of initiatives to help to stimulate the economy, create jobs, build consumer confidence, and assist Canadians when they need it most during this global economic recession.  New large-scale infrastructure programs are one important element of this plan.

The project is funded under the Province's three-year, $14-billion capital infrastructure program that will create up to 88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C.

Since February about 480 projects worth $3.4 billion have been announced. These will create an estimated 21,600 jobs in communities across British Columbia.

For more information on the Building Canada plan, visit www.buildingcanada.gc.ca or www.bcbuildingcanadafundcommunities.ca. Information on the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is available at www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.