Harper Government announces investment to help maintain and create jobs in southern Manitoba - Southern agricultural producers to save on transport costs

June 08, 2009

Today, 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 several communities in the Pembina Valley create economic opportunities.
 
"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 Ms. Hoeppner.  "The Boundary Trail Railway Company project will help create jobs and maintain employment in the Pembina Valley, while addressing the challenges currently facing our region."

Boundary Trail Railway Company (BTRC) will establish a short-line railway operation in the communities of Morden, Manitou, Darlingford, La Rivière, and the Rural Municipalities of Stanley and Pembina that will provide rail transport service for the region's agricultural producers and other businesses on the section of track between Morden and Binney Siding just west of Manitou.

Federal funding of $1,000,000 is being provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada under the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF).
"Federal funding was the last piece of the puzzle.  We are confident that, with the Federal Government's substantial funding announced today, BTRC is positioned to make a strong contribution not only for local producers, but in the economies of the communities served by the rail line," said Kevin Friesen, President of BTRC.

The communities will benefit significantly from this project, as it will reduce transportation costs of hauling fees for farmers, thus increasing the profitability of local farm businesses. This project will create and/or sustain full and part-time employment opportunities; generate multiple commercial construction projects in several communities; create new commercial tax revenues and retain existing railway tax revenues for local governments; increase demand of materials and supplies from local businesses; enhance the profile of the local area for industries looking to locate in rural communities; and retain corporate revenues in the local community. 

A part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Community Adjustment Fund (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.

The fund will provide $306-million over two years to support the most affected western Canadian 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.

For more information on the Community Adjustment Fund, please visit: http://www.wd.gc.ca/eng/11269.asp

To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit: http://www.actionplan.gc.ca/.