News release

May 2, 2005

CANADA AND QUEBEC CONTRIBUTE TO INVESTMENTS OF
$385 MILLION FOR MONTREAL INFRASTRUCTURE

MONTREAL, Quebec - Canada’s Minister of Transport and Political Lieutenant for Quebec, the Honourable Jean−C. Lapierre, the Honourable Jacques Saada, Minister of Canada Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Francophonie, Mr. Michel Audet, Minister of Finance of Quebec, Ms. Line Beauchamp, Minister of Culture and Communications and Minister responsible for the Montreal region, as well as the Mayor of Montreal, Mr. Gérald Tremblay, today announced their financial support toward investments of $385 million for highway and drinking-water treatment infrastructure priorities in Montreal.

The governments of Canada and Quebec will each invest $55 million in the redesign and rebuilding of the Dorval interchange and access to Pierre-Elliott Trudeau International Airport in Montreal. The City of Montreal and Aéroports de Montréal will contribute $30 million and $10 million, respectively, to this initiative. This investment aims to improve traffic flow and safety at the Dorval interchange and airport access. The initiative also includes the design changes required to accommodate a future rail service.

The Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec have also agreed on funding for infrastructure priorities in drinking water treatment and water purification in Quebec. Under this agreement in principle, each government will invest nearly $59 million, mainly in the Atwater and Charles-J. Des Baillets water treatment plants in Montreal. The City of Montreal will also contribute to this priority.

“This announcement once again demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to Canadian municipalities”, said Mr. Lapierre. “It is also the result of our discussions with the Government of Quebec about our investments in infrastructure. Under the New Deal for Cities and Communities, we are committed to working in partnership with the provinces and territories to support the sustainability of municipalities. Today’s announcement is an excellent example of this.”

“These investments will have a significant positive impact on the quality of life of residents of Greater Montreal,” Mr. Saada said. “The federal government’s infrastructure contribution will make it possible to provide Montrealers with a safe, reliable drinking water supply. The improvements in the Dorval traffic circle will streamline the flow of traffic at this major highway interchange for the city, while reinforcing Montreal’s image as a welcoming destination for international travelers.”

Quebec’s Minister of Finance, Michel Audet, welcomed last week’s agreement in principle in which the Government of Canada made a commitment to transfer almost $1.2 billion to the Government of Quebec under three federal infrastructure programs. 

“Today, we see the results of very lengthy discussions between our governments.  All of the resulting investments, particularly those announced this morning, are excellent news for Montreal and for all of Quebec. They give us the means to accelerate and strengthen our strategy of development and repair of road infrastructure, water purification and drinking water treatment in Quebec,” Mr. Audet remarked.

Minister Line Beauchamp applauded the investments in Quebec and the Greater Montreal area. “The projects that have been approved, particularly the upgrade to standard of the Atwater and Charles-J. Des Baillets water treatment plants, will support the city’s efforts to renew its drinking water infrastructure. This is a major investment that will have an impact on the quality of life of more than 1.6 million Montrealers,” Ms. Beauchamp emphasized, on behalf of the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Regions, Ms. Nathalie Normandeau.

These priorities are required to successfully complete the environmental assessment process and funding will be conditional on compliance with all applicable federal and provincial requirements.

The governments of Canada and Quebec have agreed to pursue discussions to rapidly finalize an agreement for sharing of the gas tax, to support the renewal of municipal infrastructure in Quebec. In its 2005 budget, the Government of Canada committed to transfer $5 billion from the gas tax over the next five years, throughout Canada. The annual amount will gradually increase to $2 billion in the fifth year, and will remain at this level indefinitely into the future. According to the Minister of State (Infrastructure and Communities), the Honourable John Godfrey, this contribution is a key element of the New Deal for Cities and Communities.

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