Also present at today’s announcement were Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee, Stratford Mayor Kevin Jenkins, UPEI Manager of Capital Projects Wensley Power, and CEO of the Confederation Centre of the Arts David MacKenzie.

“The Government of Canada is proud to partner in these projects that will create jobs for PEI,” said Minister Shea. “Investments like these will generate immediate economic benefits and will keep our cities and communities vibrant and strong into the future.”

The support to extend the sewers in Stratford, improve a busy Charlottetown intersection, construct a pedway in the downtown area, and construct a clubhouse for the UPEI Canada Games Complex demonstrates the commitment of governments to strengthen the Prince Edward Island economy. These projects will enhance local facilities and services, and create local jobs at a time when the need for economic stimulus is greatest.

“Assisting municipalities with their local infrastructure is important for the Government of Prince Edward Island,” said Premier Ghiz. “Our government is committed to ensuring safe and adequate community infrastructure for all Islanders. Clean drinking water, safe local roads and modern sport and cultural facilities are necessary resources to make our One Island Community a better place to live, work, and prosper.”

The federal and provincial governments have taken the necessary steps to get shovels in the ground and to flow money faster for targeted infrastructure projects in Island communities for the 2009 and 2010 construction seasons.

To complete these five projects, the Government of Canada, and the Government of Prince Edward Island will each fund up to $2.19 million. For more information, visit www.buildingcanada.gc.ca or www.gov.pe.ca/go/infrastructure.

BACKGROUNDER

The Town of Stratford will be extending its sewer mains in the Sundance Cove area and on Georgetown Road. These two projects will eliminate the discharge of water from septic systems into the ground and, in turn, will improve the quality of groundwater in the area and eliminate potential sources of future contamination. The total project cost of these two projects is $664,000 and $605,000 respectively; the federal, provincial and municipal governments will each contribute one-third of project costs.

In Charlottetown, an integral intersection in the east-west transportation corridor will undergo reconstruction to better serve traffic flows and pedestrians. At the Allen Street and Mount Edward Road intersection, new turning lanes, upgraded signals and pedestrian sidewalks will be constructed to better meet traffic volumes. The total project cost is $3 million; the federal, provincial and municipal governments will each contribute up to $1 million.

At the University of Prince Edward Island, a new complex, including dressing rooms, washrooms and a canteen service will be designed and constructed to serve the Canada Games Athletics Facility and the Turf Field. It will allow Islanders and visitors from regional and national groups to enjoy enhanced facilities for their respective sports activities. The total project cost is $750,000; the federal and provincial governments, along with the University of Prince Edward Island, will each invest up to $250,000.

In Charlottetown, the Fathers of Confederation Buildings Trust will have a pedestrian pedway constructed under Grafton Street, joining the Centre to the Shops of Confederation Court Mall. This project will increase visitation to the Confederation Centre of the Arts, which will promote cultural awareness and, with the construction of a new hotel planned for the mall, the pedestrian pedway connection will expand the convention services at the Centre. The total project cost is $2.1 million. The federal and provincial governments will each contribute up to $525,000. The Fathers of Confederation Buildings Trust, through a donation by a private organization, will fund the remaining eligible project costs of $1,050,000.

The federal and provincial governments have taken the necessary steps to get shovels in the ground and to flow money faster for targeted infrastructure projects in Island communities for the 2009 and 2010 construction seasons.