Article

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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Backgrounder: Vancouver Aquarium expansion and revitalization

August 9, 2010
Vancouver, British Columbia

The proposed upgrades will help the Vancouver Aquarium in its efforts to conserve aquatic life, provide educational programs, and conduct scientific research. The Vancouver Aquarium has a unique mandate in this respect, one that is not shared by any other such facility in Canada.

The upgrades include the revitalization of aging infrastructure and the expansion of the Aquarium. These structural elements must be addressed to ensure the viability of the facility and the well-being of the 70,000 animals that are currently housed there.

The Aquarium employs 350 people, and has more than 900 volunteers.

The Government of Canada is supporting the infrastructure work through the Building Canada Fund's Major Infrastructure Component, which funds public infrastructure that has a national and regional impact. The Building Canada Fund was designed to promote a stronger economy, a cleaner environment, and better communities, while addressing local and regional infrastructure needs.

The Government of Canada is contributing up to $15 million towards upgrading the Vancouver Aquarium's infrastructure. Federal funding is conditional upon the project meeting applicable federal eligibility requirements with respect to the Building Canada Fund and the signing of a contribution agreement.

Across British Columbia, the Government of Canada is investing in numerous projects to help the regional economy get back on track.

Across all of its funds, Infrastructure Canada has now committed close to $10.2 billion towards over 6,100 infrastructure projects as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan. When combined with the contributions of our funding partners, close to $30.5 billion is committed to infrastructure projects across the country.

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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News Release

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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PM announces support for upgrades and expansion of the Vancouver Aquarium

August 9, 2010
Vancouver, British Columbia

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that the Government of Canada is supporting upgrades to the Vancouver Aquarium. This joint initiative with the Province of British Columbia will revitalize aging infrastructure and expand the Aquarium. He was joined by Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia, and Chuck Strahl, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.

"The Vancouver Aquarium is a world-class facility that plays an important role in marine research, conservation and education, and every year it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from Canada and around the world," said the Prime Minister. "Our Government is supporting upgrades to ensure the Vancouver Aquarium continues to be a world-class facility and international destination for years to come."

The Vancouver Aquarium is the largest aquarium in Canada. It currently houses more than 70,000 fish and animals. More than 35 million people have visited the Vancouver Aquarium since the centre opened in 1956. Every year 80,000 school children learn about aquatic life through its educational programs.

With support from the governments of Canada and British Columbia, the Aquarium will continue to strengthen the local economy, inspire the conservation of marine life and teach Canadians and international visitors more about our natural heritage.

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
[Note: You are receiving this e-mail for information only, and because you have subscribed to our distribution list. To modify your subscription or to have your name removed from the list, go to: (http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/subscribe.asp?login )]