Canada's Consulting Engineering Firms Commend Government's Commitment to Infrastructure

Budget 2012 Commits New Money to Several Projects

OTTAWA, March 30, 2012 /CNW/ - The Association of Consulting Engineering Companies - Canada (ACEC) today applauded the federal government's commitment to renewing Canada's infrastructure with the tabling of Budget 2012. The federal budget will continue the government's commitment to the previously-established $33 billion dollar Building Canada Fund, and also brings new money to the table for several new programs.

"This is a good news budget for Canadian infrastructure," said John Gamble, President of ACEC. "ACEC applauds the government for its commitment to continue the predictable stream of vital infrastructure funding in the Building Canada Fund and welcomes over $480 million in new programs. This, at a time of fiscal restraint and cutbacks, is significant."

Budget 2012 - tabled yesterday in the House of Commons by Finance Minister, James Flaherty - underscored the government's commitment to infrastructure, and it also included several other incentives for Canadian engineering firms. A commitment to red-tape reduction and the streamlining of approvals will help to expedite projects in the resource development area. There was also a hiring credit announced for small businesses, and an increase in the borrowing limit for the territories to access infrastructure funding. The most significant new infrastructure programs include $150 million over two years for a new Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund, and $330.8 million over two years to build and renovate water infrastructure on First Nations reserves.

The Association of Consulting Engineering Companies - Canada represents companies in Canada that provide professional engineering services to both public and private-sector clients. These services include the planning, design and execution of all types of engineering projects. For more information about ACEC, please visit www.acec.ca

For more information and for media interviews, please contact: 
Susie Grynol, CAE
Vice-President, Policy and Public Affairs
[email protected]
[phone]