February 6, 2013,
Winnipeg, Man. – The Manitoba
Heavy Construction Association (MHCA) supports the findings of a
Canada West Foundation (CWF) report, which demonstrates that sustained and
strategic public and private sector investment in infrastructure, fuels
long-term economic growth. This in turn provides revenues to governments with
which to fund our social and service priorities to maintain and enhance Canada's
quality of life and standard of living.
February 6, 2013,
Winnipeg, Man. – The Manitoba
Heavy Construction Association (MHCA) supports the findings of a
Canada West Foundation (CWF) report, which demonstrates that sustained and
strategic public and private sector investment in infrastructure, fuels
long-term economic growth. This in turn provides revenues to governments with
which to fund our social and service priorities to maintain and enhance Canada's
quality of life and standard of living.
“This report provides evidence that sustained and
strategic infrastructure investment is essential to maintaining Canada’s
long-term economic growth and is critical to the quality of life enjoyed by
Canadians,” said Chris Lorenc, MHCA President.
The report: At the Intersection: The Case for
Sustained and Strategic Public Infrastructure Investment, is the
first of its kind in Canada. It provides recommendations to help governments
harness infrastructure investment as a key element of their long-term economic
growth plans.
The full CWF report can be viewed/downloaded in
English and French from www.mhca.mb.ca
At the Intersection
proposes five recommendations to help grow the economy and maintain our quality
of life:
1. Sustained and strategic investments in
Canada’s public infrastructure should be continued.
2. Priority
should be given to public infrastructure that enhances economic performance.
3. Governments
should encourage innovative approaches
to the design of public infrastructure.
4. Governments
should not focus exclusively on new infrastructure and should give due
consideration to renewing existing
public infrastructure.
5. Ongoing analysis and evaluation of
recent public infrastructure investments should be conducted and the lessons
applied to future investments.
“Canada’s governments must continue to prioritize
core public infrastructure investment. The right plan will keep all orders of
government working together, create jobs and build the conditions for new
economic growth,” said Lorenc.
The CWF report recommends Canada’s need to invest
in infrastructure assets,which enable economic growth. Those include road,
rail, air and marine systems that support trade and economic activity. Local
core infrastructure assets must also be a priority such as sewer and water
systems to ensure the highest return on investment.
New development in Winnipeg is a prime example of
the clear link between infrastructure investment and economic growth.
“IKEA would not be in Winnipeg if there was no
investment in core infrastructure, namely street, sewer and water,” added
Lorenc. “By investing in re-developing Kenaston Boulevard, along with sewer and
water, Winnipeg opened the door to IKEA. That investment has created more than
300 jobs at IKEA plus jobs in tourism, hotel and entertainment. All of this
helps to support the quality of life Winnipeggers have come to enjoy.”
Manitobans should remember their province is an
important Canadian gateway to global trade, and strategic investment in
infrastructure ensures it stays that way.
Manitobans should support key infrastructure
investment projects including CentrePort Canada Way to help launch CentrePort
Canada, Canada’s first inland port; the development of the Port of Churchill as
Canada’s northern trade gateway; and major highways across Manitoba which help
sustain Manitoba’s trade profile including, the Perimeter, Highway 75 south to
the United States, the Headingly, St. Norbert and Emerson by-passes and the
Emerson border crossing.
For more information about At the Intersection:
The Case for Sustained and Strategic Public Infrastructure Investment,
visit www.cwf.ca.
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