Statement

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

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Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada recognizing Captain Paul as an Afghanistan casualty

November 26, 2010
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement today recognizing a Canadian Forces officer as an Afghanistan casualty:

"It is with greatest sympathy that I extend my condolences, and those of all Canadians, to the family and friends of Captain Francis (Frank) Cecil Paul, who died at home in Canada of natural causes last February while on leave from Canada's mission in Afghanistan.

"Though he died on Canadian soil, Captain Paul was still an integral part of our mission in Afghanistan and had worked diligently to help bring safety and stability to the people of Afghanistan. For that, he deserves to be recognized with his colleagues who have given their lives for this mission.

"Thanks to Canadian Forces members like Captain Paul, together with our partners and allies, we are saving lives and helping the Afghan people to stand on their own and create a better future for their own country.

"The Government of Canada is proud of our Canadian Forces personnel, such as Captain Paul, and their dedication to this important mission."

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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Backgrounder

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

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Saint John Harbour Bridge

November 26, 2010
Saint John, New Brunswick

The Government of Canada is committed to modernizing and building new infrastructure to promote jobs and growth in communities and regions across Canada.

In keeping with these objectives, the Government of Canada will:

• Contribute $17.5 million toward vital refurbishment and repair work to improve the safety and lengthen the lifespan of the bridge, including: concrete barrier repair, surface paving, lighting replacement and new traffic lines painting.
• Forgive the Saint John Harbour Bridge Authority's outstanding federal loan of $22.6 million.

The contribution and loan forgiveness are conditional on existing tolls being removed and the bridge's ownership being transferred to the province. The removal of tolls is expected to help speed up commutes and the flow of goods and services through the city and region.

The federal government is funding its contribution to the refurbishment of the Saint John Harbour Bridge through the Gateways and Border Crossings Fund (GBCF), a $2.1-billion program under the $33-billion Building Canada infrastructure plan designed to support transportation and trade-related infrastructure at Canada's strategic gateways and border crossings.

The bridge is on provincial highway system Route 1, a major corridor for travel and trade in Atlantic Canada that connects with the region's busiest Canada-United States border crossing. Situated at the mouth of the Saint John River, more than 38,000 vehicles cross the bridge daily, making the Saint John Harbour Bridge an essential commercial and commuting link in the region.

The Saint John Harbour Bridge Authority maintains and operates the bridge year-round, which opened in 1968 to handle growing traffic within the city.

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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 and Premier Alward announce agreement to eliminate Saint John Harbour Bridge tolls

November 26, 2010
Saint John, New Brunswick

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and David Alward, Premier of New Brunswick, today announced an agreement with the Province of New Brunswick to remove the tolls on the Saint John Harbour Bridge. They were joined at the announcement by Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway; and Rodney Weston, Member of Parliament (Saint John).

The agreement between the two levels of government will contribute to major refurbishing of the structure, forgive the Saint John Harbour Bridge Authority's outstanding federal loan, and transfer ownership of the bridge to the province.

"This is a major step forward for Saint John and for the local and regional economy," said the Prime Minister. "It will strengthen trade and transport corridors within the province in support of the Atlantic Gateway. It will benefit the transportation industry and other regional businesses. And it will help create jobs over the long term."

"Today's announcement is evidence of our government's commitment to build and maintain a modern highway network for our residents," said Premier David Alward. "New Brunswick plays an essential role in the Atlantic Gateway, and by removing the tolls on the Harbour Bridge, we will see a smoother flow of people and goods throughout our region.

The federal government's contribution to refurbishing and repairing the bridge will improve safety and lengthen the lifespan of the structure. Both the contribution and the loan forgiveness are conditional on the complete ownership of the bridge being transferred to the province and the tolls being removed.

"Removing tolls and helping rehabilitate the Saint John Harbour Bridge is another sign that the economy is our number one priority, and another step forward toward a bright future for the people of Saint John and all New Brunswickers," Prime Minister Harper added.

"Our government will immediately begin the necessary legislative and technical work involved with transferring the bridge to the provincial highway system," said Alward. "We expect the process will be complete no later than March 31, 2011."

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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 consults New Brunswickers on creating jobs and economic growth

November 26, 2010
Saint John, New Brunswick

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today met with small business owners and hard working families in Saint John, New Brunswick to discuss ways to create jobs and economic growth as the Government plans for the next phase of Canada's Economic Action Plan.

"With Canada's economy still fragile, protecting and creating jobs, stability and financial security remain our number one priority," said the Prime Minister. "The values of hard working Canadians –, living within your means, reducing waste and duplication to keep taxes low – will continue to guide us as we move forward.

Launched in 2009, the Economic Action Plan has so far contributed to the creation of more than 420,000 new jobs since July 2009, and helped the country emerge from the global economic crisis faster and stronger than most other major industrial countries around the world.

Since 2009, the Government has announced more than 500 Economic Action Plan projects throughout New Brunswick, including dozens in Saint John. These projects – including the construction of the Charlotte Civic Centre in St. Stephen, the Community Peace Centre in Moncton and upgrades to the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in Fredericton – have strengthened the province's economy, creating new jobs and economic opportunities in many communities and regions.

"The Economic Action Plan is working. It has created jobs and provided financial security to families through the worst global recession since the Second World War," continued the Prime Minister. "However, the economy is more than just numbers. That is why my Government will continue to create jobs and support families by continuing to implement the stimulus measures in Canada's Economic Action Plan."

Over the coming months, as the next phase of the Economic Action Plan is developed, the Prime Minister, his Cabinet and caucus will travel to small towns, communities and cities across the country to listen to and seek the views of Canadians on the Government's long-term Economic Action Plan.

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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