I wrote a letter to my local MP and this was the reply. Creeker

Dear Mr. Conley:

Dr. Stephen Lucas, Assistant Deputy Minister, Natural Resources Canada, copied me on his electronic message of March 2, 2009, addressed to you, regarding in a potential mining development in the McFaulds Lake area of the James Bay Lowlands in northern Ontario.

The Government of Canada is taking action and is making strategic investments in infrastructure that contribute to our economy, job creation and strong and prosperous communities. The $33-billion Building Canada plan represents the largest federal commitment to public infrastructure ever.

In Budget 2009, the government committed to streamline approvals and accelerate investments under Building Canada. Also, Budget 2009 provides almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over two years. Significant new infrastructure investments designed to provide economic stimulus include:

• • • • The Infrastructure Stimulus Fund ($4 billion), which will provide funding to provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure projects. Funding will be available for two years for projects begun and completed during the 2009 and 2010 construction seasons.
      • The Green Infrastructure Fund ($1 billion), which will provide funding for the construction of new sustainable energy infrastructure and other green projects over five years.
      • The Building Canada Communities Component, which has been increased by $500 million over the next two years for projects that can be built by 2011. The Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund provides targeted support to small communities.

You propose various infrastructure investment initiatives, some of which appear to be eligible for funding under the following federal infrastructure programs:

The $8.8-billion Building Canada Fund invests in critical national priorities, such as clean water, sewage treatment, the core National Highway System, public transit, and green energy, among other categories. The Government of Canada and the provinces and territories are discussing priority infrastructure projects that could be approved soon so that we can make the most of the 2009 and 2010 construction seasons across Canada.

• • • • Budget 2009 provides an additional $500 million to the
        $1.1-billion Communities Component. This additional funding will be made available for projects that can complete construction in the next two years. As is the case for all projects under the Communities Component, funding for these additional projects will be cost-shared with provinces and municipalities. Intake one of the Communities Component in Ontario closed on November 21, 2008. The results were announced on February 13, 2009. I encourage you to visit http://www.bcfontario.ca/english/communities/index.html for more information on the status of the Communities Component in Ontario.
      • Budget 2009 also established the $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which will provide funding to shovel-ready provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure projects which can be completed during the 2009 and 2010 construction seasons. We will be working with provinces, territories, and municipalities to approve projects and flow funds as quickly as possible. I encourage you to visit www.buildingcanada.gc.ca for information on submitting an application under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.

Other major elements of the Building Canada plan will continue to provide a source of long-term, predictable funding for municipalities. More than 50 percent of Building Canada, or $17.6 billion, goes to municipalities to fund their priorities, through the Gas Tax Fund, and through the GST Rebate. The federal Gas Tax Fund doubled on April 1, 2009, from $1 billion to $2 billion per year. In addition, the government has announced that the program will become permanent beyond 2014 at $2 billion per year nationally, so that municipalities will be able to count on this stable funding for their infrastructure needs now and in the future.

More information on all of our programs is available at http://www.infc.gc.ca/infc-eng.html.

This government is committed to building a modern public infrastructure for Canada.

Sincerely,

• • • • • • • • • • • John Baird, P.C., M.P.

                      
                      

c.c. The Honourable Lisa Raitt, P.C., M.P.
Mr. Ted Menzies, M.P.
Stephen Lucas, Ph. D.