Investment will create jobs, stimulate local economy

The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology and MP for Cambridge-North Dumfries, and Jim Bradley, Minister of Transportation Ontario, announced today that the governments of Canada and Ontario will provide federal and provincial funding towards improvements to Highway 8 outside of Kitchener, Ontario.

"Today's announcement is a reflection of our commitment to get shovels in the ground and to flow money faster to stimulate the economy, create jobs, and improve the quality of life of citizens," said Minister Goodyear. "Improvements to Highway 8 are an example of action that our Government is taking to contribute to Ontario's long-term economic growth while building strong and safe roads that are good for Canadians and communities alike."

"Southwestern Ontario is an important economic hub for the province," said Leeanna Pendergast, MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga. "Safe and efficient highways are an important part of that equation. Investing in projects like this one will create or sustain up to approximately 570 direct and indirect jobs, and help this important region stay competitive in the future."

"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Harper, the Government of Canada is investing in infrastructure priorities that create jobs, stimulate the economy, and protect our environment," said Harold Albrecht, the Member of Parliament for Kitchener--Conestoga. "Highway 8 is a prime example of action that our Government is taking to improve highway safety and efficiency across Canada. When we invest in public infrastructure like Highway 8, we are building infrastructure that will improve the lives of people in the area for many years to come."

Improvements to Highway 8 will include the addition of new lanes, twinning of the bridge over the Grand River, highway resurfacing, and the construction of bus bypass shoulders on northbound and southbound lanes from Grand River to Sportsworld Drive. The governments of Canada and Ontario will each set aside up to 50 per cent of the total eligible costs of the project, up to a maximum contribution of $35 million. The project's total estimated cost is $70 million.

Demonstrating their commitment to stimulating the economy and creating jobs, both the governments of Canada and Ontario are moving forward with a number of large-scale infrastructure programs to assist Ontarians when they need it most.

The Government of Canada's 2009 Economic Action Plan is accelerating and expanding the existing federal investment of $33 billion in infrastructure across Canada with almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over two years.

Through the 2009 Ontario Budget - Confronting the Challenge: Building Our Economic Future - the province is investing $32.5 billion in infrastructure for the province of Ontario over the next two years, including a $5 billion contribution from the federal government that will support more than 300,000 jobs and strengthen Ontario's economy.