MINISTERS TO DISCUSS STREAMLINING OF INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING

Highways and Infrastructure Minister Wayne Elhard and Municipal Affairs Minister Bill Hutchinson will meet with John Baird, the federal Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities in Vancouver today.

Minister Baird has asked his provincial counterparts from the western provinces to meet with him to discuss how to streamline and expedite federal infrastructure funding programs.

"Saskatchewan has a significant inventory of ‘shovel-ready' projects that represent both the provincial and national interest," Elhard said. "Fast-tracking these projects will not only build a better Saskatchewan and maintain our record growth, but they will also have a stimulating effect on the broader Canadian economy."

Elhard said he is pleased to be able to advance the discussions in favour of accelerating the twinning of highway 11 between Prince Albert and Saskatoon, along with our requirement for northern road infrastructure. Hutchinson said he will be emphasizing the urgent need for water/wastewater treatment systems for municipalities.

"I am pleased the federal government has also taken this opportunity to look at streamlining approval processes for infrastructure funding," Hutchinson said. "Simplifying these processes will reduce a significant administrative burden on our municipal partners and dramatically shorten the time between the planning phase and the funding partner approval."

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For more information, contact:

Jeff Welke
Municipal Affairs
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6156

Doug Wakabayashi
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4804