PM Announces Funds to Twin a Critical Section of the Trans-Canada Highway

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Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you Greg for that kind introduction.

In his short time in Ottawa, Greg has made quite a strong, positive impression on all of us.

He works hard as a member of he Commons’ Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. 

And, of course, he is a tireless advocate for the interests of his constituents.

His efforts are in part why we are making this announcement here today.

So please give Greg a hand.

Of course, my greetings also to Premier McGuinty who is joining me for our second announcement today.

I’d also like to welcome Minister Travelle, Minister Toews, Mayor Compton and Mayor Thompson. 

Thank you all for joining us for today’s important announcement.

Earlier today Premier McGuinty and I were in Toronto where we announced a leap into the future for the city’s public transportation system.

The project is part of our Government's Economic Action Plan to take Canada through the global recession.

From Vancouver to Lévis to the Annapolis Valley, our Action Plan is putting Canadians to work now building the infrastructure needed to achieve greater prosperity tomorrow. 

Spanning the breadth of our vast country, the Trans-Canada Highway is an integral component of our national infrastructure network and a concrete symbol of our nation’s vastness and unity.   

As John Diefenbaker noted during the highway’s opening forty-seven years ago, the Trans-Canada "has brought about a sense of oneness from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean … comparable to that which moved Canadians when the first Canadian transcontinental railway was completed." 

How true. 

The Trans-Canada has become the major artery through which the transportation life blood of our nation pulses.

It is the transcontinental link that made heroes of inspirational Canadians like Terry Fox and binds Canadians together from Vancouver Island to the Avalon Peninsula.   

Today I’m pleased to announce an upgrade to a critical section of the Trans-Canada. 

Through our partnership with the Government of Ontario, we will twin Highway 17 beginning at the Manitoba border ten kilometres eastward. 

This is an important first step to twinning the highway straight through to Kenora, a goal, ladies and gentlemen, our Government is committed to help the province realize. 

In the meantime, this project will create well-paying jobs in Northern Ontario, speed the east-west flow of goods and dramatically improve safety for travellers and truckers alike.   

I’d like to thank Premier McGuinty for working with our Government to make today’s announcement a reality.

This initiative is a testament to the quick action that can be achieved when Ottawa and the provinces work together.

Premier McGuinty will share with you additional details, but I want to make it clear that today’s announcement isn’t simply about a highway upgrade, or the jobs it will create, it is also about where we’re heading as a country. 

As the world struggles with the effects of the global recession, we as Canadians are looking ahead.

We are using our strong balance sheets to aggressively fund initiatives during this recession in communities across this country that will generate growth in the years to come.

By looking forward today, and investing in key infrastructure like highways, we are seizing the opportunities that will help us get through tough times, and ensure this country emerges stronger than ever.

Thank you.

I’d now like to invite Premier McGuinty to the podium to give us more details about today’s announcement.

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