Tag Archives: government of canada

Prime Minister announces new infrastructure agreement with British Columbia 

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau makes an announcement regarding transit funding in British Columbia.

Burnaby, British Columbia

16 June 2016

The Government of Canada remains committed to making significant investments in infrastructure that will improve our public transit systems, strengthen Canadian communities, and help grow the economy.

Today, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and Premier Christy Clark announced that an agreement has been reached that will result in more than $900 million being invested – by the Government of Canada, British Columbia, and municipalities – in public transit projects across the province.

The agreement made today will reduce congestion and commute times, so that Canadian families can spend less time on the road, and more time with their loved ones. The investments will be used to expand bus lanes, add new railcars to the SkyTrain, and deliver the fixes that our transit systems have needed for decades.

Investing in public transit creates good, well-paying jobs that can help the middle class grow and prosper today. When well-planned infrastructure makes it easier for middle class Canadians to get to work on time, bring their kids to soccer practice, or go to the grocery store, the entire economy benefits.

Quotes

“Canadians have asked us to reduce congestion and commute times in their cities. This investment in public transit will help the people of British Columbia get home to their loved ones faster. It will also help to grow the middle class by improving business flows in municipalities while reducing environmental damage.”
– Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

“British Columbia is leading Canada, and as our economy continues to grow, transit infrastructure needs to keep pace. This investment will help meet rising demand, ease congestion, lower our carbon footprint, and enhance our quality of life.”
– Hon. Christy Clark, Premier of British Columbia

Quick Facts

  • This funding is part of the first phase of Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada’s historic $120-billion plan to support infrastructure across the country over the next 10 years.
  • Phase 1 of Investing in Canada will provide over $10 billion in immediate investments to support public transit systems, green infrastructure projects, and social infrastructure projects. Details on Phase 2 of Investing in Canada will be announced over the next year.
  • Phase 1 funding provided under the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund will be managed through agreements between the Government of Canada and provincial and territorial governments.
  • Under the agreement made today, the Government of Canada has made its funding retroactive to April 1, 2016, so projects can proceed without delay to help ensure a productive construction season this year.
  • The investment announced today – $460 million from the Government of Canada’s new Public Transit Infrastructure Fund, and $308 million from the Province of British Columbia – will help make sure that public transit is keeping pace with the rapid growth of British Columbia. Funding will modernize public transit systems – including the SkyTrain and SeaBus services, as well as the rapid transit and provincial bus systems – to help move people and commerce more efficiently through B.C. municipalities.

Associated Links

Source: Prime Minister announces new infrastructure agreement with British Columbia | Prime Minister of Canada

Government of Canada highlights improved support for Veterans and their families

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Budget 2016 reaffirms commitment to Veterans

REGINA, May 24, 2016 /CNW/ – The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, spoke with Veterans and community leaders in Regina today to highlight the Government of  Canada’s support for Canada’s ill and injured Veterans and how Budget 2016 will enhance that support.

To help Veterans and their families as they transition from military to civilian life, Veterans Affairs Canada will build on an existing suite of programs and supports with enhancements to financial benefits, restored access to critical services and more front-line staff.

An increase to the Disability Award to a maximum of $360,000 will mean more money in the pockets of Veterans who suffer from illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of service.

Increasing the Earnings Loss Benefit to 90% of a Veteran’s pre-release salary will ensure former members undergoing rehabilitation have the financial support they need.

Expanding access to the Permanent Impairment Allowance by introducing an individualized assessment will ensure Veterans are more appropriately compensated for the impact of a service-related impairment on their career.

Finally, Veterans Affairs Canada will re-open nine offices across the country and hire additional case managers so that each serves no more than 25 individuals. Additionally, a new office will open in Surrey, B.C., and outreach to Veterans in the North will be expanded by working with local partners.

Budget 2016 delivers $5.6B in additional benefits and takes historic steps to treat Veterans with care, compassion and respect.

Quick Facts

  • The Government of Canada will make it easier for Veterans’ families to access the Funeral and Burial Program for a dignified burial. The Department plans to increase the estate exemption from $12,015 to $35,279 and also apply an annual cost of living adjustment to this amount.
  • Plans are also underway to expand the scope of the Commemorative Partnership Program to allow funding for the building of new community war memorials and to streamline the application process.
  • The new Have Your Say consultation tool, available on the Veterans Affairs Canada website, invites Veterans, stakeholders and Canadians to their provide feedback on Veterans’ issues and priorities.
  • The Minister of Veterans Affairs remains committed to all items in his mandate letter, including pensions for life.

Quote


“The Government of Canada is taking historic steps to ensure Canadian Veterans and their families are treated with care, compassion and respect. Budget 2016 reaffirmed our intent to give back to Veterans and deliver on our promises to restore critical access to services and improve the long-term financial security and independence of disabled Veterans and their families.”

The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defense

Associated Links

 

 

SOURCE Veterans Affairs Canada

For further information: Media Relations, Veterans Affairs Canada, 613-992-7468 1

RELATED LINKS
www.veterans.gc.ca

Source: Government of Canada highlights improved support for Veterans and their families

Prime Minister announces action on Alberta wildfires

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OTTAWA, May 11, 2016 /CNW/ – The Government of Canada will stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Fort McMurray in the wake of the devastating Northern Alberta wildfires.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the creation of a new ad hoc Cabinet committee to coordinate federal efforts to help the thousands of Canadians affected by the wildfires that raged through Northern Alberta in May of 2016.

The Ad Hoc Committee on Northern Alberta Wildfires will meet as required to consider and coordinate federal contributions to recovery and rebuilding efforts for those affected by the May 2016 Northern Alberta wildfires.

 

Chair                 

The Honourable Kent Hehr

Vice-Chair           

The Honourable Patricia A. Hajdu

Members           

The Honourable Ralph Goodale

The Honourable Navdeep Singh Bains

The Honourable Jane Philpott

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos

The Honourable James Gordon Carr

The Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi

 

The ad hoc Cabinet committee will hold its first meeting on May 12, 2016, and will complement the ongoing efforts on the ground coordinated through the Government Operations Centre.

The people of Fort McMurray can count on the full support of this government. We will weather this storm together – and together, we will rebuild.

Quotes

“The new ad hoc Cabinet committee is part of our work to address both the urgent and long term needs of communities affected by the Northern Alberta wildfires. We are working closely with Alberta Premier Notley and local authorities to coordinate recovery and rebuilding efforts for the many thousands who have been displaced and left homeless.”
– The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

“Canadians across the country have responded with generosity to the appeal by the Canadian Red Cross. The pledges made until the end of May will be matched by both the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta. Canadians helping others – no matter the distance that separates them – is what this country is all about. I would especially like to thank the brave first responders who have worked tirelessly to fight this fire. We are committed to help the people of Fort McMurray and the surrounding area rise out of this disaster.”
– The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Quick Facts

  • As part of its initial response, the Government of Canada will match every dollar donated to the Canadian Red Cross in support of the Fort McMurray relief effort. The commitment will apply to individual charitable donations made within Canada; it will be backdated to May 3rd, 2016; and, it will continue until May 31st, 2016. There will be no financial cap on the federal government’s contribution.

Associated Links

 

SOURCE Prime Minister’s Office

For further information: PMO Press Office: 613-957-5555, This document is also available at http://pm.gc.ca

RELATED LINKS
http://pm.gc.ca/

Source: Prime Minister announces action on Alberta wildfires

Statement by the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development – Minister Duclos on Social Infrastructure

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GATINEAU, QC, April 5, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ – Today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, made the following statement:

“Investments in social infrastructure will build stronger communities─ it’s about investing in people. The $3.4B investment in social infrastructure that was announced as part of Budget 2016 will be an integral part of our strategy to strengthen the middle class, promote inclusive growth for Canadians, and help lift more Canadians –including children and seniors– out of poverty. It offers immediate help to those who need it most and lays the groundwork for sustained, inclusive economic growth that will benefit Canada’s middle class and those working hard to join it.

Investments in affordable housing, early learning and child care as well as cultural and recreational infrastructure will improve the quality of life for Canadians and will strengthen communities, making them a better place to live and work, including Indigenous communities and the North.

The Government is taking action now, with immediate investments over the next two years to:

  • improve access to affordable housing for more than 100,000 low-income individuals and families, including seniors;
  • repair and modernize existing social and affordable housing, including energy and water efficiency retrofits;
  • repair and build housing units in First Nation communities and Inuits and in the North;
  • repair and build new shelters for women and children fleeing violence, including in First Nation  communities;
  • enhance services to address homelessness;
  • repair and upgrade child care and health facilities on reserves;
  • support over 100 community cultural and recreational infrastructure projects; and
  • develop a National Early Learning and Child Care Framework over the coming year in collaboration with provinces, territories and Indigenous communities, with immediate supports to upgrade Indigenous child care resources; significant new investments will flow from the Framework as of 2017-18.

The Government of Canada is committed to working in partnership with provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous partners and stakeholders to improve current programs and to identify and prioritize longer-term social infrastructure needs.

These investments in social infrastructure will contribute to improving the lives of Canadians both socially and economically.”

The Honourable, Jean-Yves Duclos P.C., M.P.
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

Associated Link

Growth for the Middle Class – Investing in Social Infrastructure

 

SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada

For further information: Minister Duclos, Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca, Follow us on Twitter; Media Relations , Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 613-748-2734, jrotondo@cmhc-schl.gc.ca

Source: Statement by the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development – Minister Duclos on Social