Good afternoon, everyone.  Thank you.

Thank you for joining us today.  It’s great to be back in Sudbury.  We just wrapped up an incredibly productive discussion here at Sudbury City Hall.  I’m happy to have been joined by the Mayor, provincial representative Glenn Thibeault, federal representatives Paul Lefebvre, Anthony Rota and Marc Serré, along with the Council behind us.  We engaged in a robust discussion on the needs facing the people of Sudbury. 

Before going into detail about what we have accomplished today, I want to back up a little to what discussions like this one mean and why they are important.  As many of you already know, our new federal government was elected on the promise to bring real change to Canadians, both in terms of what we do and how we do it. Canadians expect their representatives at all levels of government to work together to do what needs to be done. This is true at the federal level, the provincial level and the municipal level. People expect them to work together to achieve the results communities deserve. My government is forging this partnership, not only because we are expected … it is expected of us, but because it is the best way to serve our citizens.

Good decisions are born from communication and collaboration.  And today’s discussion here in Sudbury is a great example of just that.  In our first federal budget, released just a few weeks ago, my government outlined $120 billion in infrastructure investment over the next ten years.  This funding will help to create good jobs, better our communities, and grow the middle class.  So after discussion with representatives in Sudbury today, I am pleased to announce that the government of Canada will invest $26.7 million in the Sudbury Maley Drive extension project.

In partnership with the government of Ontario and the City of Sudbury, this investment will fund the creation of a new much-needed east to west arterial link through the city.  This important initiative will reduce traffic congestion, improve commuter safety, and get people home on time – and take ore trucks off Lasalle. 

My government is proud to invest in Sudbury and the people that call it home.  By working together, we can and will build a better future for the middle class and those working hard to join it. 

Thank you once again for being here this afternoon.  My friend Marc Serré from Nickel Belt is going to say a few concluding remarks, and then I’ll be back at the podium to take questions from media. 

Thank you.