Government of Canada update on Economic Action Plan Investments in Manitoba

For immediate release

Manitoba, October 1, 2009 – The Government of Canada is investing in key infrastructure projects across the country—using the jobs we are creating today to build a lasting legacy of sound infrastructure for the future. President of the Treasury Board Minister Vic Toews today underlined investments of over $500,000 for repair and restoration work in federal buildings and facilities across Manitoba.

“Our Government’s top priority is protecting Canada’s economy. Investing in our federal buildings is just one way we are creating opportunities for local businesses here in Manitoba and across the country,” said Minister Toews. “With eighty seven percent of year-one contracts to repair and renovate Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC)-owned buildings issued in just six months, this Government is turning our short-term challenges into long-term strengths.”

The Government of Canada, through PWGSC, is investing over $500,000 to repair and renovate government facilities, including federal buildings in Winnipeg and Brandon. Projects include roof replacements, electrical repairs, exterior mortar work, paving and fire protection upgrades. These projects are expected to provide work opportunities for over 5,000 small and medium-sized enterprises across the country.

“This Government is leveraging the most significant infrastructure investment in recent memory to protect the jobs we have while helping those hardest hit get back to work,” added Minister Toews. “We are staying the course, implementing Canada’s Economic Action Plan to ensure our country comes out of this global recession stronger and better off than when we went in.”

Contracting opportunities are open to all companies and are posted regularly on MERX™, the government’s electronic tendering system. The Government of Canada is investing $12 billion in new infrastructure funding for roads, bridges, broadband Internet access, electronic health records, laboratories and border crossings across Canada.

This news release and a backgrounder on these Economic Action Plan projects are available on PWGSC's Internet site at: http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/medias-media/index-eng.html.

For more information on the Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

- 30 -

Ce texte est également disponible en français.

For further information, contact:

Christine Csversko
Director of Communications
Office of the President of the Treasury Board
613-957-2666

Tom Corrigan
Regional Communications
Public Works and Government Services Canada, Western Region
780-497-3568

TTY (Telecommunications device for the hearing impaired)
This news release is available online at: www.actionplan.gc.ca.

Backgrounder

Under the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, Public Works and Government Services Canada is investing over $500,000 for the repair and restoration work in the following federal buildings and facilities across the province of Manitoba:

Stanley Knowles Federal Building, 391 York Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba

PWGSC is completing a chiller overhaul and installing a three-way control valve at the Stanley Knowles Building.

MacDonald Building, 344 Edmonton Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba

PWGSC is upgrading the fire alarm systems at the Macdonald Building.

Winnipeg Taxation Centre, 66 Stapon Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba

PWGSC is installing a cyclical fire stopping system at the Winnipeg Taxation Centre.

Government of Canada Building, Brandon, Manitoba

PWGSC is conducting an accessibility upgrade project.