Funding Announcement for the City of Barrie WPCC

April 07, 2010

Hello everyone. It’s a pleasure to be here.

I’m especially pleased to bring this good news to the City of Barrie on behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Government of Canada.

Our government, through the Green Municipal Fund, is working to enhance our communities by promoting environmental sustainability and economic growth.

And that’s good news, when you consider the economic and environmental challenges that we face today.

Canadians know that our government is taking clear, decisive action on both fronts.

We’re addressing the challenges of climate change with an approach that balances our economic prosperity with the need to protect our natural resources.

The Government of Canada is committed to reducing Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent from 2005 levels by 2020, a target that reflects the importance of aligning with US policy.

Budget 2010 aims to sustain Canada’s economic advantage now and for the future. 

Our Government is delivering $19 billion in new federal stimulus under Year 2 of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, complemented by $6 billion in stimulus funding from provinces, territories, municipalities and other partners.

The Government’s plan is ensuring our country will emerge from the recession with a stronger economic advantage than before. 

Canada will have lower taxes, renewed infrastructure and skills, a strong head start in clean-energy generation, a tariff advantage, less red tape for business and a more prominent voice as a global leader in financial affairs.

Our Economic Action Plan initiatives are rolling out in communities from coast to coast to coast and we are seeing clear signs the economy has started to recover.

As a result of our work with our provincial, municipal and territorial partners, 92 percent of our government’s stimulus dollars have been committed for the 2010–2011 fiscal year.

We have committed funding for almost 16,000 projects across the country under the Economic Action Plan.  More than 75% of these projects have begun or have been completed.

These include essential infrastructure projects in partnership with the provinces, the territories and municipalities across Canada.

Our Government has also frozen the EI premium rate at $1.73 per $100 of insurable earnings to the end of 2010 – the lowest rate since 1982 – in order to leave more money in the hands of employers and employees.

We are providing $7.7 billion in new stimulus to modernize infrastructure, support home ownership, and improve social housing across Canada.

Budget 2010 also includes measures to promote energy investments. For example we are expanding eligibility for the accelerated capital cost allowance for investment in clean energy generation assets.

Clearly, these are major investments that will help Canadians deal with today’s economic climate while, at the same time, strengthen our capacity to enjoy greater prosperity in the future.

We need to build on this momentum and champion a long-term vision for cleaner energy in Canada.

As we enter Year 2 of Canada’s Economic Action plan, our priority will be to continue the rapid implementation of the Plan and roll out the remaining stimulus projects across the country.

Our government has outlined a path to reduce our deficit and return to balanced budgets when the economy has fully recovered, while building a strong foundation for job creation and economic growth.

The strategy is to address the needs of today while preparing for the opportunities of tomorrow. Because our children deserve to live in a better, healthier, stronger Canada.

A perfect example of our strategy can be found right here, today, in our support for the City of Barrie’s Water Pollution Control Centre and wastewater treatment plant expansion project.

I’m very pleased to announce that our government, through the Green Municipal Fund, will provide a $2 million loan and $400,000 grant towards upgrading the existing wastewater treatment unit and improving the quality of the water.


This project will improve the quality of the water flowing out of the treatment plant – increasing the plant’s overall environmental performance and enhancing the social and economic system of our community.

By supporting this project, our government is helping build a greener, healthier future for the citizens of Barrie.

Thank you.