Infrastructure Projects Announced to Boost Alberta’s Economy

Infrastructure Projects Announced to Boost Alberta’s Economy

Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk MLA Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville

Dear friends and neighbours,

The COVID-19 pandemic and oil price collapse have dealt a double whammy to Alberta’s economy, leading to the largest economic collapse since the Great Depression. Premier Jason Kenney has been outspoken about the need for Alberta to be bold, take action, and make strategic investments now so that our province emerges from this crisis stronger than ever.

It’s why one of the first actions our government took was to double capital maintenance and renewal spending for 2020 and accelerate over $1 billion to fix our roads, bridges, hospitals, and schools faster. This approach ensured we got money out the door immediately and will help create 3,000 much-needed jobs for Albertans.

Now, our government is taking the next step to support Alberta’s economic recovery by working with communities throughout the province to tackle their much-needed road, bridge construction, and water infrastructure projects.

Our government is significantly increasing new investment in municipal infrastructure programs, like the Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program (STIP), to fix and build needed roads and bridges in small and rural communities across Alberta just like ours here in Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville.

We have announced approximately $50 million in additional STIP funding to support almost 70 new projects and over 475 badly-needed jobs, boosting our economic recovery and getting Albertans back to work.

Our government is also investing $150 million in water infrastructure grants that will support 55 water and wastewater improvement projects and approximately 1,300 jobs.

A total of $137 million was allocated to the Alberta Municipal and Wastewater Partnership for 54 projects. These water infrastructure grants support improvements to water supply and treatment facilities, and upgrades to wastewater services, including lagoons, berms, and sewage treatment.

This additional investment will support the province’s economic recovery and create jobs while ensuring smaller, rural municipalities have the infrastructure they need to grow sustainably.

In our riding, the government has allocated $1,195,600 for local bridge replacements and repairs. This will benefit the residents and businesses of our region by increasing safety.

I look forward to helping deliver projects for our riding that support the needs of our community and job creators.