NationStates Jolt Archive


Canada52 Begins New Initiatives

22-11-2003, 09:37
Toronto Star

November 22, 2003


OTTAWA (CP) - Prime Minister Jean Chretien has announced new funding packages today. The total of these new funding packages will be approximately $1.2 billion dollars (Canadian).

Some $400 million (Canadian) dollars will be invested in Ontario's infrastructure.

"In order to speed up the new ten highway-improvement projects in Ontario, the government will provide Ontario with a $400 million package. Negotiations with the new Premier of Ontario, David McGinty, has resulted in his speeding up of the projects from a six-year plan to a three-year plan." said Jean Chretien at a meeting today.

Most of the funding, which, including the $336 million that was made up from both federal and provicial funding, will be spent on widening highways in northern Ontario and relieve congestion and improve safety on highways in Windsor, Kingston and Belleville. Approximately $100 million has also been set aside for the Toronto Transmit Commission, which has been cash-strapped in recent times.

Also seeing that the Ontario educational system is looking for more money, Jean Chretien has announced that the federal government will provide an aide package of $250 million to the province. The three main school boards facing massive cash problems, the Hamilton-Wentworth School Board, the Ottawa School Board, and the Toronto School Board, will receive some $150 million, from the $250, to improve their schooling.

Another aid package of approximately $300 million will be given to Ontario in order to help them offset the costs for the SARS breakout. A minor aid package of $25 million will also be given to British Columbia for the same reasons.

Some $100 million will be spent on Nunavut and other northern provinces in the area of infrastructure and education. The remaining $39 million will be spent on the RCMP, purchasing new technology, improving training, etc.

Jean Chretien announced that the total $1.2 billion of funds will be handed out by December 12, which is the day he has said that he is going to retire. He will be succeeded by the newly elected Liberal Party Leader, Paul Martin.
imported_Foolish Pesants
22-11-2003, 14:07
Thats a nice distribution of resources, Eh?