Governments of Canada and Alberta Create Jobs, Build Communities

June 18, 2009

Parkland County, AB – The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Spruce Grove and Minister of Labour, and David Xiao, MLA for Edmonton-McClung, announced joint federal-provincial funding for the upgrade of Parkland County’s broadband internet service. This project will enhance local facilities and create jobs in Parkland County. This project will help the local economy during these difficult times and make small businesses and members of the community more competitive.
   
The governments of both Canada and Alberta are committed to strengthening the economy, creating jobs and improving the quality of life for Canadians. The governments of Canada and Alberta will each invest up to $833,333.00 in the project and Parkland County will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $2,500,000.00.

“This investment in broadband internet service will address the immediate needs of the residents of Parkland County,” said Minister Ambrose. “Our Government is committed to working with our partners to create jobs, strengthen our economy and ensure that Alberta’s communities are vibrant places to live, work and raise families.”

“Just like the Supernet is connecting public institutions like our schools and libraries, this will help better connect our businesses,” said the Honourable Doug Horner, MLA for Spruce Grove-Sturgeon-St. Albert and Minister for Advanced Education and Technology.  “This partnership is about local communities.  Alberta’s knowledge-based economy is growing, and I’m happy to say it’s growing in every part of this province.”

“Parkland residents have been asking for internet improvements,” said the Honourable Fred Lindsay, MLA for Stony Plain and Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security.  “This joint funding for broadband service throughout the County will provide them with the level of service needed for higher quality internet communications for businesses and personal use.”

“High Speed Internet is no longer a luxury – it has become a necessity for personal, business, data, video, social networking and a host of other communication requirements,” said Mayor Rob Wiedeman. “Receiving this grant through the Building Canada Fund validates Parkland County’s efforts to provide businesses and residents with access to broadband in a manner that ensures sufficient capacity now and into the future.”

The upgrade of Parkland County’s broadband internet service is just one of 73 projects made possible by a joint federal-provincial investment of more than $227 million, which was announced on May 21 2009. The governments of Canada and Alberta have taken steps to accelerate these projects and other targeted infrastructure projects in Alberta communities so that they can begin during the 2009 and 2010 construction seasons.

For more information on the Building Canada plan, visit www.buildingcanada.gc.ca.