High Prairie Seed Cleaning Announcement

February 09, 2010

Honoured guests, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.

It is a pleasure to be here today on behalf of my colleagues, Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, and John Baird, Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities.

There is no doubt that Communities across Western Canada have been hit hard by the current economic slowdown. Taking action on the economy is this Government’s number one priority. And to ensure that we emerge from this recession stronger than ever, the Government of Canada is taking timely and targeted steps to stimulate and sustain our economy.
 
As of December 1st, I’m pleased to say that 97% of the stimulus funding under the Economic Action Plan has been committed.
In every region of the country, Canadian communities, businesses, workers and families are receiving the support they need.

Which brings us here to High Prairie today…

High Prairie is a town which has contributed over a century of history to Northern Alberta. It was way back in 1910 when the first post office opened. It was 1945 when High Prairie incorporated as a village with a population of only 600 people. And finally 1950, when High Prairie became the Town we know today.

Much like the entire Municipal District of Big Lakes, High Prairie has been blessed with much natural abundance, which has allowed a successful agricultural industry to flourish over the past 100 years.

Those who’s memory goes back far enough recall that the High Prairie Seed Cleaning Co-op has now been servicing this local industry for over 40 of these years.

The Co-op was constructed in 1966 on 1 acre of land with the support of 300 farmer members, government and local businesses for a cost of
$66 thousand dollars. The plant continued to expand over the years, and now includes a grain treating system, grain rolling, oat cleaning, (among others) and peas.

Back in the spring of 2009, one of our federal Government’s stimulus programs drew the attention of the Seed Cleaning Co-op, who have, for many years now, been working hard on a proposal to upgrade their facilities.  This was the Community Adjustment Fund – or CAF– just one measure that we have taken to help communities in the West to prosper.

The CAF is a $1 billion dollar, two-year economic stimulus fund designed to create jobs in places affected by the global recession, and it is supporting many communities like High Prairie that rely on resource-based industries;

And so, after many months of effort…
…today I am very pleased to announce that our Government is investing more than $2 million dollars in the High Prairie Seed Cleaning Co-op.

This investment will go towards constructing a new seed cleaning plant to service High Prairie and surrounding areas. This new facility will be on 7.5 acres for a cost of $3.5 million dollars, again with the support of many farmer members, and will have a life expectancy of 80 – 100 years.

The project also allows for future plans to expand the facility and extend the array of agricultural services it provides, enabling it to grow with the needs of the community, and ensure that this industry remains sustainable in Northern Alberta for many years to come.

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It’s also my pleasure to be here today to make a second announcement of funding for the Regional Municipality of Big Lakes.


Our federal and provincial governments are continuing to work as partners to make important investments in infrastructure that will create jobs, while enhancing the safety and efficiency of our transportation system.

Today the government of Canada is investing $5 million, $150,000 dollars into a project to pave Highway 88 near Loon River, and with the Province of Alberta the joint contribution will total $10 million, $300,000!

Projects like these could not get off the ground without the commitment of our provincial and municipal partners. It is by working together that we will build a stronger country and deliver infrastructure funding to our communities.

And in the time to come we will continue to work diligently with our partners to realize our rapid implementation of Canada’s Economic Action Plan
At the same time, we are aware that we have challenges – restoring balanced budgets once our economy is fully recovered; and building a strong, concrete foundation for our economic future.
In fact, over the next few weeks, the Prime Minister and Minister Flaherty will continue to travel across Canada to hear from families, businesses and industries about the progress made by the Economic Action Plan, and the steps that need to be taken to implement the second phase.

I have full confidence that together, we can ensure that Alberta remains the best province in Canada in which to live and that we emerge from this global recession stronger than ever.  I am pleased today to see the great progress that has been made here so far, and look forward to seeing the construction in and around High Prairie begin!