November 19, 2009
Canada-British Columbia Partnership Creates Jobs, Stimulates Economy in Mackenzie/Fort St. James

Mackenzie - Residents from Mackenzie and Fort St. James will benefit from federal and provincial infrastructure funding with a $10.75 million upgrade to the Mackenzie Connector, announced today by the Honourable Jay Hill, MP for Prince George-Peace River and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Pat Bell, and Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad. This project is just one example of both governments' commitment to stimulating the British Columbia economy through the creation of jobs in our communities.

This project will create local jobs to build the Mackenzie Connector into a year-round two-lane road and reduce the travel distance between the two communities. Currently, the existing one-lane connector road between Fort St. James and McKenzie, is open only for seasonal forestry use.

"This connector road is great news for Mackenzie and will offer tremendous economic potential to the region at a time when it is needed most," said Minister Hill. "By investing in important infrastructure projects like this one, the Government of Canada is helping to stimulate local economies now, and securing new opportunities for the future."  

"The communities of Mackenzie and Fort St. James are going through some challenging transitions with their local economies," said Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Pat Bell. "Not only is this is a major project that will bring immediate good quality stimulus jobs to both these communities at a time when there is a high need for jobs, but it also will help build long-term regional economic development once the project is complete."

"We can look forward to a new and reconstructed roadway with three two-lane bridges along the Phillips Mainline covering about 70 kilometres," said Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad. "This will be particularly good news for the future development of the Mount Milligan mining project by Terrane Metals that will deliver hundreds of sustainable jobs to our region."

The government of Canada will invest $5.25 million and British Columbia will contribute $5.5 million to invest up to  $10.75 million in the project.

This project is one of 27 across the province that will break ground thanks to close to $180 million in joint federal and provincial funding. The Governments of Canada and British Columbia have taken steps to get shovels in the ground and to flow money faster for targeted infrastructure projects starting in the 2009 construction season.

The projects are funded under the Province's three-year, $14-billion capital infrastructure program, which will create up to 88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C. To date, over $4.1 billion has already been announced for projects across British Columbia, which will create an estimated 26,000 jobs

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