PM announces upgrades to Sault Ste. Marie border crossing

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Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.  I want to first of all thank you, Minister Baird for welcoming me here today, and for all your hard work making today’s important announcement a reality.  Greetings to Mayor Rowswell.  Welcome also to the representatives with us today from the Federal Bridge Corporation, the St-Mary’s River Bridge Company, the International Bridge Administration and the Canada Border Services Agency.  Finally, special greetings to the Member of Parliament from Simcoe North, Bruce Stanton. 

Ladies and gentlemen, earlier this year in the wake of the worst global economic recession since the Second World War, our government brought forward arguably the most important budget in Canada’s history:  our Economic Action Plan.

It is a time-limited plan designed to meet both Canada's short-term needs and our long-term goals.  Our plan is supporting workers and taxpayers, stimulating economic activity, helping first-time homebuyers and homeowners with renovations, ensuring access to credit and financing for individuals and business, making strategic investments to support cutting-edge research and last but not least, putting Canadians to work building bridges, roads, public transit and other essential infrastructure.  These are construction projects that will stimulate our economy in the short-term, but that we also need to ensure our prosperity in the longer term.  And it is one of those essential projects that brings us together today. 

The Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge first opened on October 31st, 1962.  It was hailed as a symbol of unity and friendship between nations.  In speeches given by the many dignitaries that day the emphasis was on trade, travel and what unites, rather than divides, people of common interest.  One official compared the Bridge to an infamous construction project that had just been completed half a world away – the Berlin Wall.

He observed, quote: "This bridge is a dramatic contrast to what the Communists have done in Berlin…[They] built a wall to divide people…We have built a bridge between nations."  Indeed, instead of an iron curtain, designed to exclude and segregate, we built a steel span designed to unite and connect. 

Also present that day at the ribbon-cutting ceremonies were some of the workers who had toiled on the trusses.  Many remarked on the beauty of the engineering marvel they had helped build.  But amid all the pomp and pageantry, perhaps the biggest compliment paid to the Bridge came from a straight-talking steelworker named Paul White.  He said: "…I’ve been across lots of other bridges in Ontario, and [this one is] as nice as any I’ve seen."  In the years ahead, Paul’s "nice" bridge would also become a key link in the world's largest trading relationship; In fact, last year alone, over one and a half million vehicles passed over this bridge. 

That’s why, ladies and gentlemen, I'm pleased to be here today to announce the Government of Canada is investing in upgrades to the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge.  Work will focus on a complete redevelopment of the existing Canada Customs Plaza, including new buildings for both regular and commercial traffic, new inspection bays, new booths for customs officers and a new bus lane.  These improvements will speed the flow of people and goods as well as enhance security with our most important ally and biggest customer.  In the short-term, of course, these investments will create well-paid local jobs to help this community get through these tough economic times.  And in the longer term, these investments will speed the flow of Canadian goods to major markets in the U.S. Midwest, and enhance the daily cross-border interactions that are the lifeblood of the two Soos.

I want to make it clear once again that today's announcement is not simply about upgrading bridge border crossing facilities or the jobs this project will create.  It is more fundamentally about where we are headed as a country.  As the world struggles with the effects of global recession, we as Canadians are looking ahead.  We are using our strong balance sheets to aggressively fund initiatives in communities right across this country.  And we are already beginning to see the positive impact of these investments on Canada’s economy.

Ladies and gentlemen, by looking forward today and investing in key infrastructure – like the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge – we are seizing the opportunities that will get us through these tough times and ensure our country emerges stronger than ever. 

Thank you all for coming.

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