Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program Ribbon-Cutting of the Fort Erie Friendship Trail (Phase 3)

June 17, 2006

Fort Erie, Ontario
Check Against Delivery

Introduction

What a pleasure it is to be gathered here alongside such a distinguished group of guests — Ron Rienas, Mayor Redekop, Regional Councillor Timms — to celebrate the opening of Phase 3 of the Fort Erie Friendship Trail.

I am here today on behalf of Tony Clement, the Federal Minister of Health and Federal Minister responsible for the Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program, or COIP.

Minister Clement sends his congratulations on the completion of this project.

Friendship Trail

There couldn’t be a more fitting name for this trail.

This 4.5-kilometre section of the Friendship Trail is part of the 33-kilometre Greater Niagara Circle Route Trails System.

It connects the cities of Port Colborne, Thorold, and the Town of Fort Erie, while linking the Waterfront Trail around Lake Ontario and the Trans Canada Trail.

This beautiful trail system will provide residents and visitors with the opportunity to enjoy both leisurely and recreational activities, promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.

Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program (COIP)

The Government of Canada is pleased to have been a partner in such an exciting project.

Through COIP, the federal government invested up to $613,883 to the Greater Niagara Circle Route Trail project, which includes the Friendship Trail.

The Friendship Trail will undoubtedly be a tourist attraction for the Town of Fort Erie, helping contribute to the Town’s economy.

Canada’s New Government recognizes that vibrant, flourishing communities are an integral part of our social goals and economy.

We also recognize that it is essential to work with our provincial and municipal partners in order to improve rural and urban infrastructure in communities across the country.

Through tripartite initiatives such as COIP, and, more recently, the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, the Government of Canada has helped municipalities by undertaking over 700 infrastructure improvement projects across this province.

Our Commitments To Communities

Canada’s New Government is committed to investing in essential infrastructure projects to ensure that our communities remain healthy and vibrant places to live.

This is why in our first budget, our government has committed $16.5 billion for new infrastructure investments over the next four years for Canadian municipalities.

We increased funding for upgrades to our highways and border crossings: for a total of $2.4 billion over the next five years.

We set aside another $2 billion for strategic investments in much-needed projects such as highways, urban transit, sewage treatment and flood mitigation.

We are also renewing the municipal rural infrastructure fund with an injection of $2.2 billion.

We are also honouring the commitment under the New Deal for Cities and Communities to maintain the gas tax transfer – the equivalent of 5 cents a litre, worth $5 billion over five years.

Conclusion

We’ve made significant progress in the past four months, but there is still work to be done.

We will continue to work every day, just as you do, to deliver real results for real people and our government will continue to meet the commitments it has made to Canadians

Again, I would like to congratulate you on your hard work at the local level on this important community infrastructure project.

I wish you many years of enjoyment and pleasure using this wonderful new trail.

Thank you!