The OSWCA Applauds the Federal Government for the Extension of the
Infrastructure Stimulus Deadline

TORONTO, Dec. 3 /CNW/ - "Today's announcement is welcomed news and indicates that the Federal Government is listening to contractors across Ontario and Canada" said Joe Accardi, Executive Director of the Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association (OSWCA). The Association is pleased that Prime Minister Stephen Harper extended the deadline for completing projects receiving infrastructure stimulus funding.

OSWCA's 800 member companies, along with Ontario municipalities, have been working hard to complete stimulus projects on time and indications are that the vast majority of projects will meet their original deadlines. The new deadline of October 31, 2011 is the extra construction season necessary to complete projects that are behind schedule. This extension provides us with the breathing room needed to ensure that delayed projects are not rushed and can now be completed in a responsible and safe manner.  We applaud the Federal Government for being opened to the concept of extending the deadline and today they have made good on our request.

The deadline extension affects projects in four programs under the Federal Government's Economic Action Plan including: the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund; the Building Canada Fund Communities Component Top-Up; the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program; and the Knowledge Infrastructure Program. It is also important to note that the extension applies to "all" projects under these programs and will not be applied on a case-by-case basis.

The OSWCA will continue to update members on relevant news related to stimulus funding. Again, today's announcement is great news for the construction industry.

To learn more about the OSWCA visit www.oswca.org

For further information:

Susan McGovern - Assistant Executive Director - 905-629-7766 or 416-206-6645