March 25, 2019 – St. John's, Newfoundland – Infrastructure Canada
Developing a rural economic development strategy is a key priority for the Government of Canada and engaging with Canadians in rural communities is the first step.
This week, the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Canada's Minister of Rural Economic Development, will visit communities across Newfoundland to engage with local leaders and other stakeholders about the specific needs of rural communities. Minister Jordan will also discuss the new programs and economic benefits that Budget 2019 will provide for rural communities across Canada.
On March 26th, Minister Jordan will visit Clarenville where she will join Bonavista-Burin-Trinity MP Churence Rogers to meet with leaders at SubC Imaging. Minister Jordan will then join officials from the College of the North Atlantic for a campus tour and host a roundtable discussion with community and business leaders in Port Rexton.
"Canada's rural communities are the backbone of this country. My role as Minister of Rural Economic Development is to champion the specific needs of these communities by developing the Government of Canada's Rural Economic Strategy. This strategy will build upon our work as a Government to date and reflect the needs of Rural Canadians. This means access to modern infrastructure, better roads, and faster, more reliable internet services.—
Bernadette Jordan, Canada's Minister of Rural Economic Development
Quick facts
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The Government of Canada's Investing in Canada plan is providing more than $180 billion over 12 years for public infrastructure across the country.
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In partnership with Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Canada is investing in public transit; green infrastructure such as water treatment systems; community, culture and recreational infrastructure; and public infrastructure in rural and northern communities.
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The Canada-Newfoundland Bilateral Agreement will provide more than $555 million in predictable, long-term funding for the public infrastructure that matters most to Newfoundlanders.
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Under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Bilateral Agreement, $104.6 million will be provided specifically to rural and northern communities for their unique infrastructure needs.
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In Budget 2019, the Government of Canada proposes to:
- Support low-income Canadian seniors who choose to stay in the workforce by enhancing the Guaranteed Income Supplement earnings exemption so that they can effectively keep more of their hard-earned income.
- Help workers gain new skills with the creation of the new Canada Training Benefit, a benefit that will give workers money to help pay for training, provide income support during training, and, with the cooperation of the provinces and territories, offer job protection so that workers can take the time they need to keep their skills relevant and in-demand.
- Support municipalities' local infrastructure priorities by proposing a one-time top-up of $2.2 billion through the federal Gas Tax Fund that will double the Government's commitment to municipalities in 2018-19, and make sure communities have the funds they need to pay for crucial repairs and other important local projects.
