For many Canadians, the word “infrastructure” typically conjures up visions of cement mixers, traffic delays, road diversions and orange construction signs.  Hardly the stuff that dreams are made of.

But these are not ordinary times, and right now, the idea of infrastructure spending is whipping up a great deal of enthusiasm across the country.

Why? Because right now, the government is getting ready to pump billions of dollars into the Canadian economy in a way that will create jobs, stimulate spending and make a difference in the hometowns of Albertans from Lethbridge to Fort McMurray; a difference that Canadians will see when they drive to work, take their kids to hockey practice, transport their goods and services, and travel around the country.

Today the Conservative government delivered the 2009 Federal Budget.  Part of this budget, crafted to provide a major shot in the arm to the Canadian economy, involves doubling infrastructure spending.  It is a huge investment, the likes of which has not been seen in decades and decades.

But infrastructure spending is more than simply putting a shovel in someone’s hand and saying “dig there”.  It’s the first link in a long chain of job creation, stimulus, spending and reinvigorating the economy.

Consider a local infrastructure project, like a community skating arena. The project requires workers: that means local jobs. The project also requires materials, like wood, steel and cement. These will typically be supplied from local dealers. It requires specialized labour, such as plumbers, electricians, carpenters; typically those who work in the community.  The end result is jobs, more cash for the community and, subsequently, more money entering the local economy.

For the past few weeks and months, Transport and Infrastructure Minister John Baird has been examining many of these projects through the budget process and has been spearheading extensive negotiations with many different stakeholders.
 
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has been consulting intensively with businesses, provincial governments and members of the opposition to discuss how the 2009 budget can be used to improve our economy.  We are confident that our resulting budget will provide the action that is right for all Canadians during this challenging economic period.

However, I want to be clear: key stimulus will cost money. An economic slowdown means that the government has less money to spend.  In order to provide the key support during this challenging time the Conservative government has chosen to run a deficit in the short term, allowing money to flow to all sectors of the economy, and to reach Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

Wisely, the Conservative government has been preparing during the good times we have enjoyed up until this point. Since taking office in 2006, we’ve paid down over $37 billion from our national debt. That’s what responsible leaders do: pay off debts and improve our global credit so that if we find ourselves in a situation where a larger amount of money is needed in a very short time, we can make the necessary investments without over-burdening our children’s generation.

Now that Parliament has resumed and the budget has been delivered, Canadians can see the full scale of the intended infrastructure spending and the details of the other targeted stimulus that the Conservative government is delivering to keep Canada working during this global economic crisis.
 
I believe that, together, we are on the road to building a better tomorrow and taking an exciting step forward to a prosperous future.

Sincerely,

Brian Jean, MP
Fort McMurray - Athabasca
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure, & Communities