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ADDRESS BY PRIME MINISTER JEAN CHRÉTIEN
Announcing a Federal Government Investment in the Vancouver Convention and
Exhibition Centre
December 4, 2002
Vancouver, British Columbia
Ladies and gentlemen, I am very pleased to be here with you today in this
great city of Vancouver. We are here to announce a partnership that will benefit
the people of Vancouver, the people of British Columbia, and all Canadians. It
is a partnership that will contribute to the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition
Centre project and transform this beautiful waterfront into something truly
spectacular.
I am joined by my colleagues and friends, your Premier Gordon Campbell; the
senior federal minister for British Columbia, Herb Dhaliwal; Allan Rock, the
Minister of Industry and the Minister responsible for Infrastructure; as well
Secretary of State Stephen Owen, to announce a federal contribution of over $200
million to the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre through the Canada
Strategic Infrastructure Fund.
Combined with a matching contribution from the Government of British Columbia
and $90 million from the tourism industry, we are all doing our part to make
Vancouver a city like no other, a city that makes an unforgettable impression: a
dynamic and beautiful city to visit and a great place to do business.
The project, targeted at $495 million, will benefit the citizens of Vancouver
and British Columbia with the creation of almost 7,000 jobs for five years. Once
the project is complete, the Centre will help create about 7,500 new, full-time
jobs and generate $1.5 billion in economic benefits over the next 30 years.
This project is the first investment made in Western Canada through the
Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund. I have often said how essential these
investments are for Canada's success.
Investments in infrastructure are far reaching and affect the quality of life
in our communities and cities. Cities like Vancouver play an important role in
our nation's economic vitality. That is why the federal government is also
acting on an urban strategy.
In addition to today's historic investment, the Government of Canada has
committed over $400 million for British Columbia's roads, highways, water and
wastewater systems. In partnership with the government of British Columbia, we
have invested $88.7 million for more affordable housing in the province.
The federal and provincial governments all have a role to play in making
Canada a great place to live, work, play, and invest. And over the last few
years, Premiers from the Pacific to the Atlantic, Members of Parliament, and
many Canadians I have spoken to, have told me how important it is for the
Government of Canada to get more involved in infrastructure to support the
growth, competitiveness, and well-being of communities.
Communities are key to the success of infrastructure projects. We believe
strongly that the drive for infrastructure projects must come from the
communities themselves - from the people who know first hand what the local
needs and priorities are. That has certainly been the case with the Vancouver
Convention and Exhibition Centre. Premier Campbell has been a very strong
advocate of this project making sure that I understand fully the importance of
this project for Vancouver and the people of British Columbia. And Herb Dhaliwal,
the senior federal minister for British Columbia, has worked very hard on behalf
of the people of his province to make this project a reality. I have asked the
Minister responsible for Infrastructure, Allan Rock, to finalize this agreement
with his provincial counterparts. I know he will do a good job.
And I would like to recognize the tireless efforts of the tourism industry
toward making this project a reality. Their work towards this project goes well
beyond a financial investment - which is significant. The tourism sector worked
to ensure that their vision of this waterfront should include a stunning, new
Convention and Exhibition Centre that would attract people from all over the
world. People who, after coming here for business, will remember the warm
welcome they receive and will come back with their families and friends, to see
more of Vancouver, more of British Columbia, and perhaps more of Canada.
Together, we are going to make it happen. We are going to make a city that is
already one of the most beautiful in the world, even more beautiful, even more
spectacular. And while doing so, we will contribute to the quality of life of
this dynamic city in the coming years and for years to come.
Thank you very much.
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