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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