The GTA Construction Report – February 2009 – PAGE A5
Niagara Column
The New Federal Budget
SANDRA KING – The GTA Construction Report
• $212 million to renew Montreal’s This is a great semi-quick fix both na-
Champlain Bridge tionally and regionally, in particular, the
As we wait for the snow to melt and • $130 million to Parks Canada for twin- funds that are earmarked for federal govern-
make way for spring, we can now also add ning a section of the Trans-Canada ment projects that can be started quickly.
anticipation of new construction to mark the Highway through Banff National Park, Also, by focusing on some major bridge
change in season. The new federal budget from Lake Louise Village to the British projects, including a couple of key border
lays it on thick in terms of spending with Columbia border crossings with the United States, we are
the major emphasis being on physical cap- • $60 million to support infrastructure- bound to enhance our economy through ad-
ital through its infrastructure proposals. Our related costs to cultural infrastructure ditional trade.
less than stable economy got a much- projects such as the Toronto Public Li- The other infrastructure money, that re-
needed $12 billion infrastructure invest- brary revitalization project, la Maison quires matching funds from the provinces
ment boost on January 27 and while a du Festival de Jazz in Montreal, and the and municipalities, with a two-year dead-
majority of the allocated funds will flow Confederation Centre of the Arts in line, also holds a great deal of potential for
through a cost-sharing model with munici- Charlottetown our economy and employment. Construc-
palities and provinces, the following six • $50 million for the Institute for Quan- tion of roads, highways, sewers, water lines, a $2,000 Apprenticeship Completion Grant.
projects will receive targeted federal fund- tum Computing in Waterloo, Ontario, etc., will be an immense help on a local All of this will be not only a great economic
ing. to build a new world-class research fa- level. This cost-sharing with municipal and shot in the arm to a slumping economy, but
• $217 million to accelerate construction cility provincial partners will be an extremely im- a fantastic morale booster on a more per-
of the Pangnirtung Harbour in Nunavut • $14.5 million for the Blue Water portant, if not vital, component to many of sonal level. The personal aspect has also
and repair core small craft harbours Bridge in Sarnia and the Peace Bridge the new economic measures that were in- been addressed through the move to tem-
across Canada in Fort Erie troduced in our latest budget. The premiers porarily extend unemployment insurance
of Ontario and British Columbia have al- benefits, some personal income tax cuts, tax
ready stated their commitment. credits for first-time homebuyers, some
Recognizing Stephen Coote,
In Niagara, we can expect to see an in- funding for renovation projects as well as
crease in new jobs fairly soon, as well as in for energy-efficient upgrades.
years to come. As outlined in the 2009 Only time will tell how all of this will
2008 President of the NCA
budget, $2 billion will be made available play out, but I think that in Niagara, we can
over two years in direct low-cost loans to count on the obvious drive our construction
municipalities for housing-related infra- industry has continually exhibited. These
ALICIA FLOYD – The GTA Construction Report staff writer
into 2009.
Coote has thoroughly en-
structure such as sewer and water lines and new incentives are certainly most welcome
We can begin 2009 by president. His main initia- joyed serving the NCA both
neighbourhood regeneration projects. Ot- and I am sure that we will make the most of
recognizing the accomplish- tive for 2008 had been to es- as president and on the
tawa will invest $40 million a year to fund them.
ments and dedication of last tablish a strategy to ensure Board of Directors.
year’s president of the Niag- the NCA’s sustainability in “It has been a rewarding
ara Construction Associa- the years to come. experience to give a little
tion (NCA), Stephen Coote. “Through our members back to our industry as well
Even as his position as pres- and our Board of Directors as I have been able to gain a
ident comes to an end, we completed and imple- better understanding of not
Coote continues to motivate mented our strategic plan, only the NCA’s role in our
and lead his peers and is our goal is to ensure our local construction commu-
sure to maintain an active members continue to see nity but also a better under-
role within the NCA and value in being a part of the standing of the Canadian
construction industry in its Niagara Construction Asso- Construction Association’s
entirety. ciation.” (CCA) role as our national
Before accepting the po- The plan formed over the voice.”
sition as president this time past year also encompassed When asked what he
last year, Coote had been on a new vision statement, “We most enjoyed about not only
the Board of Directors for are the resource for the Ni- being president but about
twelve years in various ca- agara Construction Indus- the entire association, Coote
pacities. He has been a part try” as well as a Mission replied, “I have always en-
of the construction industry Statement, “Building Sup- joyed being part of the cul-
for many years. port and Service for our ture of the Niagara
Coote started his educa- Members.” Construction Association
tion at Niagara College, Coote and the rest of the and working with other indi-
graduating from the busi- Board feel confident in the viduals that are progressive
ness program. He then be- strength that has helped in their thinking and that are
came involved in the shape both statements. An- interested in forwarding ed-
business of mechanical con- other aspect of the restruc- ucation and the overall bet-
tracting, and has been work- turing was in the creation of terment of our industry.”
ing in this field for twenty key values for the NCA, Nothing but positive
years. Seventeen of those which reads: “Integrity is messages from last year’s
years were spent running his our foundation. Our envi- president, and as he con-
own business, Group 92 ronment represents mutual cludes his tenure as leader
Mechanical, which works trust. We are ethical in all for the NCA, he leaves
primarily in the institutional, our actions. Teamwork is sturdy ground for new
industrial and commercial what keeps us together. We growth, progressive strate-
For tickets please contact the
markets of the construction are progressive.” gies and confidence in the
industry
NCA Office at 905-682-6661
. Along with the creation strength of the Niagara Con-
Much of Coote’s experi- of this strong foundation, struction Association.
niagaraconstruction@bellnet.ca
ences in construction were there are high hopes to con-
www.niagaraconstrcution.org
put to good use in his role as tinue such forward thinking
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