Government of Canada Announces Investment to Help Create and Maintain Jobs in Portage la Prairie

October 23, 2009

Portage la Prairie, Manitoba - Candice Hoeppner, Member of Parliament for Portage - Lisgar, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced Government of Canada support to help the Southport Aerospace Centre Inc. strengthen economic opportunities in Portage la Prairie.

“Our Government, through the Community Adjustment Fund, is providing a timely, targeted stimulus to western Canadian communities, helping reduce the impacts of the global recession,” said MP Hoeppner. “The construction of these student accommodation facilities will help create jobs and maintain employment in Portage la Prairie, while at the same time allowing Southport to expand their flight training program.”

Under this project, the Southport Aerospace Centre Inc. will build a 52-unit facility to accommodate long-term clients and students allowing the Centre to develop and market an international aviation training program.

Federal funding of $1.5 million is being provided through the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

“Southport is very pleased with the funding support announced today,” said Barry Feller, Southport Aerospace Centre, CEO. “It will greatly assist us in continuing our program of growth and expansion initiatives and maintaining our position as a major economic entity in the community.”

A part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, CAF is a two-year, $1 billion national program that will provide an economic stimulus by supporting projects that create jobs and maintain employment in rural communities.

In Western Canada, the fund will provide $306 million over two years to support the most affected communities, such as those that are heavily reliant on resource-based industries, for instance forestry, mining, agriculture and fisheries, and communities that depend on the manufacturing industry. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is delivering the fund in the four western provinces.

Visit the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) in the West or Canada’s Economic Action Plan for more information.