$231 MILLION TO FUND B.C. HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS

KELOWNA – The Province and the Government of Canada will jointly fund up to $231 million worth of National Highway System improvements in B.C., 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.

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

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

“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 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 Cannon.

“The Winfield-Oyama project is terrific news for this growing region,” said Falcon. “The road upgrades will improve safety, stimulate further growth in our economy, and help 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/provincial investments along Highway 97 in the Okanagan Valley, will result in improved safety for motorists,” said Cannan.

“Four-laning this stretch of highway will greatly improve safety and the flow of traffic along this important corridor,” said 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 the 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 Nov. 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.

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Media

contact:

Bridgitte Anderson

Press Secretary

Office of the Premier

604 307-7177

Karine White

Press Secretary

Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa

613 991-0700

Dave Crebo

Communications Director

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

250 387-7787

Media Relations

Transport Canada, Ottawa

613 993-0055

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