Minister Denis Lebel's Statement in Response to the Big City Mayor's Conference

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb 5, 2015) -

"The Harper Government's support for public infrastructure has never been stronger. Our Government has introduced the largest and longest Infrastructure plan in Canadian history with a $75 billion investment in public infrastructure over the next decade, including the $53 billion New Building Canada Plan for provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure.

Our key partners in this endeavour, provinces, territories, and municipalities are those who own 95% of public infrastructure in this country and our Government is committed to being there in support.

Important projects worth more than an estimated $5 billion in total project costs have already been identified in every region of the country.

No other federal government has made these levels of investment and we have done so while keeping tax levels at the lowest level since John Diefenbaker was Prime Minister.

The Harper Government is committed to investing in public infrastructure to reduce commuting times for families, enhance our economic productivity, and encourage job creation and economic growth across Canada.

Our Government has been - and will continue to be - a strong partner in helping to fund the infrastructure priorities of every community across Canada."

The Honourable Denis Lebel

Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec