News Release

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

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PM launches the Christmas Lights Across Canada program on Parliament Hill

December 2, 2010
Ottawa, Ontario

In keeping with Christmas tradition, Prime Minister Stephen Harper today turned on the lights on Parliament Hill as part of the annual Christmas Lights Across Canada program.

"As we light up Parliament Hill, we join with our fellow Canadians, from coast to coast to coast, in communities across our great country in celebrating Christmas together," said Prime Minister Harper. "It is also an opportunity to celebrate what has been a great year for Canada."

Christmas Lights Across Canada takes place in capital cities across the country every year. The Ottawa celebration includes over 300,000 lights that will be on display from December 2, 2010, to January 7, 2011.

"As we celebrate Christmas and count our blessings, I hope everyone can take a moment to reflect on how fortunate we all are to live in such a prosperous and peaceful nation," said the Prime Minister.

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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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Canada's Economic Action Plan

Stimulus projets deadline extension

December 2, 2010
Mississauga, Ontario

In February 2009, the Harper Government launched Canada's Economic Action Plan, one of the most comprehensive stimulus packages in the industrialized world. Our Economic Action Plan is working. By funding approximately 23,000 projects across the country, federal, provincial/territorial and municipal partners have injected $62 billion dollars into the economy and helped more than 420,000 Canadians get back to work since July 2009. This timely, targetted and temporary support includes $16 billion of federal funds to support thousands of infrastructure projects which will benefit Canadians for years to come.

The deadline for completing infrastructure stimulus projects under the Economic Action Plan was March 31, 2011. However, reports from partners show that a small number of projects have been delayed for a variety of reasons. Following consultations with provincial/territorial partners, the Government of Canada has decided to extend the construction deadline on infrastructure projects under four funding programs: the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, the Building Canada Fund Communities Component Top-Up, the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program and the Knowledge Infrastructure Program. Nearly 90 per cent of projects under these four specific infrastructure programs are expected to be completed by March 31, 2011.

By extending the deadline for one more construction season, the Economic Action Plan will further benefit Canadians without incurring additional government spending. In fairness to all partners, this extension will apply to all projects under these programs, and will not be applied on a case-by-case basis.

In order to qualify for this extension, work must have begun on the project and it must have incurred eligible costs before March 31, 2011. Claims for all expenses incurred up to this date must be submitted by April 30, 2011. This is a one-time extension. While virtually all projects are expected to be completed by October 31, 2011, the Government of Canada will not share in any costs after this date, and proponents will be required to complete projects at their own expense.

While providing flexibility, the Harper Government is committed to ensuring that the stimulus program is completed in a timely fashion, and that Canada returns to balanced budgets in a timely manner.

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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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Canada's Economic Action Plan

PM highlights the success of Canada's Economic Action Plan

December 2, 2010
Mississauga, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today highlighted the success of Canada's Economic Action plan in creating jobs and economic growth during the global recession. The Prime Minister was joined at the announcement by Chuck Strahl, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities; and Tony Clement, Minister of Industry.

"Canada's Economic Action Plan is working," said Prime Minister Harper. "Our Government expects that nearly 90 per cent of infrastructure projects will be done by the ambitious deadline that we set out."

Since July 2009, more than 420,000 net new jobs have been created across Canada and about 23,000 projects are underway or completed. The Government has provided $16 billion to modernize public infrastructure, including roads, bridges, water, parks, transit and recreational facilities.

While the vast majority of infrastructure projects are expected to be completed by the ambitious two-year deadline (March 31, 2011) set out by the Government, a small percentage of projects have been delayed for a variety of reasons.

"Today, we have extended the deadline for completion of Economic Action Plan infrastructure projects by one full construction season, to October 31, 2011," said the Prime Minister. "This will allow sufficient time for completion of the remaining projects."

The one-time extension is expected to allow sufficient time for virtually all the remaining projects to be completed, at no additional cost to the Federal Government. In order to qualify for this extension, work must have begun on the project and it must have incurred eligible costs before March 31, 2011. The extension applies to projects funded under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, the Building Canada Fund Communities Component Top-Up, the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program or the Knowledge Infrastructure Program.

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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 )]