Governments of Canada and Ontario Support Rehabilitation of Frenchman's Bay Harbour

Pickering, Ontario, July 1, 2012 – The governments of Canada and Ontario announced today that they will work together with the City of Pickering and the Toronto Region Conservation Authority to rehabilitate Frenchman's Bay Harbour Entrance, located on the north shore of Lake Ontario, in the Region of Durham.

Frenchman's Bay is home to a number of boating clubs and marinas and has provided a natural calm water harbour for over a century. This initiative will replace two breakwaters located at the harbour entrance as well as widen the entrance to improve user safety and accessibility. Reconstruction will preserve and enhance ecological conditions, provide new opportunities for public use and recreation, enhance tourism and strengthen local businesses.

"Our government is proud to invest in the improvement of Frenchman's Bay Harbour Entrance, an initiative that will contribute to the local economy and attract visitors to our community," said Corneliu Chisu, MP for Pickering-Scarborough East, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "I am pleased that this project will create jobs, boost tourism, improve boater safety and help protect Frenchman's Bay for future generations."

"The Government of Ontario is making targeted investments to strengthen local infrastructure because it creates jobs, stimulates the economy and builds stronger communities," said Tracy MacCharles, Member of Provincial Parliament for Pickering-Scarborough East. "This project will result in the creation of a safe harbour while preserving and enhancing the ecological conditions of this important Pickering landmark and commercial hub."

"Frenchman's Bay is the shimmering jewel of Pickering, and I thank the Federal and Provincial governments for investing in this significant community asset," said Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan. "The harbour entrance initiative will greatly enhance the health of the Bay, while generating greater tourism and more importantly, tourism dollars for area businesses."

This initiative has been identified as a priority for funding consideration under the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund, part of the Building Canada plan.Through this program, the Government of Canada works with the Government of Ontario to support infrastructure needs across the Province. The project also supports Building Together, the Government of Ontario's long-term infrastructure plan to repair, rebuild and renew the province's roads and highways, bridges, public transit, schools and postsecondary institutions, hospitals and courthouses.

The total cost of the Frenchman's Bay Harbour Entrance initiative is estimated at $9 million. Together, the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario are contributing a total of up to $6 million towards the project. Federal funding is conditional on the initiative meeting all of the relevant requirements under the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund.

Investing in infrastructure is a key part of the Government of Canada's plan to create jobs, generate economic growth and ensure long-term prosperity. Over the course of the summer, the Government of Canada will be engaging provinces, territories and stakeholders in a series of roundtables to develop a new long-term infrastructure plan. This plan will focus on investments that support job creation and economic growth, while building strong, prosperous communities across the country. In addition, the Government of Canada will hold a roundtable with national stakeholders and representatives of the private sector at the end of the summer. Working together to develop this plan will provide new opportunities for all orders of government and the private sector to build partnerships to improve public infrastructure in Canada.

Through Building Together, Ontario plans to invest more than $35 billion over the next three years to create or preserve over 100,000 jobs on average each year. Infrastructure investments create high-quality employment, support economic growth and helps make Ontario's economy more productive.

For additional information about investments in infrastructure, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca.

For further information about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit Canada's Economic Action Plan.

For more information on how Ontario is revitalizing its infrastructure, visit Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure.

Contacts:

Geneviève Sicard
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700

David Salter
Office of the Ontario Minister of Infrastructure
416-327-1815

Mark Guinto
Office of Pickering Mayor David Ryan
905-420-4660 extension 2013

Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Or toll-free 1-877-250-7154