Budget 2003

Sustainable Development, Cities and Housing

February 18, 2003
Ottawa, Ontario

A successful economy is a sustainable economy. Budget 2003 provides $3 billion to promote a sustainable and a healthier environment – our legacy for future generations.

Funding will support the Government’s climate change strategy as well as efforts to provide Canadians with cleaner air and water and more liveable cities.

An investment of $2 billion will be used to help implement our Climate Change Plan which includes support for Sustainable Development Technology Canada and funding for renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transportation, new alternative fuels, such as wind power, fuel cells, and ethanol, as well as building retrofits.

The remaining $1 billion will be devoted to other environmental priorities including:

1. $600 million over five years to upgrade, maintain and monitor water and wastewater systems on First Nations reserves;
2. $175 million over two years to clean-up federal contaminated sites;
3. $40 million over two years to improve air quality across Canada;
4. $75 million over the next two years to better assess and manage toxic substances;
5. $74 million over the next two years as part of a multi-year plan to maintain existing parks and establish 10 new national parks and five new national marine conservation areas;
6. $33 million to protect species at risk and their habitat.

Cities and Housing

To improve the quality of life of our cities, Budget 2003 invests $3 billion over the next 10 years in infrastructure.

Too many Canadians living in our major cities are struggling to find and afford decent housing. Budget 2003 invests $320 million over the next five years to enhance and extend existing affordable housing agreements with the provinces and territories and $384 million over three years to extend the Government’s housing renovation program.

To combat homelessness in Canada’s cities we are extending the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative for three years at $135 million each year.

Support for Agriculture

Budget 2003 will help Canada’s agricultural sector by building on the $5.2 billion, six-year Agricultural Policy Framework announced in June 2002.

We will provide $220 million to cover a deficit this fiscal year in the Crop Reinsurance Fund and $100 million over two years to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Budget 2003 also provides a one-time investment of $113 million for infrastructure improvements at Canada’s four veterinary colleges, $20 million over the next two years to supplement venture capital investments by Farm Credit Canada in the agricultural sector, and $30 million over the next two years to the Canadian Grain Commission to allow it to maintain its level of service to farmers.