Canada and Ontario Partner with London Organizations to Make
Important Renovations
LONDON, ONTARIO--(Dec. 21, 2009) - Canada and Ontario today
announced infrastructure funding that will help to create jobs
and support infrastructure upgrades for six not-for-profit
organizations in the London area. The event was held at Goodwill
Industries, which Canada and Ontario are partnering with to
build a new 90,000 square foot Goodwill Social Enterprise
Abilities Centre.
To make the announcement, John Baird, Minister of Transport and
Infrastructure, and Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and
Long-Term Care and Member of Provincial Parliament for London
North Centre, were joined by representatives from the six
not-for-profit organizations, as well as, Members of
Parliament Ed Holder and Joe Preston and Members of
Provincial Parliament Chris Bentley and Khalil Ramal.
The other five other organizations to receive funding from
Canada and Ontario are: the South-Western Ontario Children's
Care Inc., Hutton House Association, the Grand Theatre, the
Ontario Society for Crippled Children (Operating as Easter Seals
Ontario), and Youth Opportunities Unlimited.
"Today, I am proud to jointly announce funding for a project
that will get shovels in the ground, jobs created, and enable
this organization to enhance its services for years to come,"
said Minister Baird. "Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, our
government has announced an historic number of projects to help
strengthen our communities, including these projects here in
London."
"Today's investment is yet again another demonstration of the
McGuinty Government's commitment to strengthening our
communities' not-for-profit sector in London," said Matthews.
"This investment will not only help deliver valued community
services, help create jobs, and stimulate our local economy, but
will also improve the quality of life for residents in London."
"We wholeheartedly applaud our government partners for helping
Goodwill build a stronger foundation for putting people to work,
reducing poverty and strengthening our community." said Michelle
Quintyn, President and CEO, Goodwill Industries, Ontario Great
Lakes.
The total investment for these six projects is more than $31
million, with the Governments of Canada and Ontario providing
almost $21 million. The Governments of Canada and Ontario are
each providing one-third of the total project costs, while the
partners will cover the last third.
Canada's funding is part of the national $4 billion
Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, under Canada's Economic Action
Plan unveiled in January 2009. Ontario's matching contribution
is provided through the 2009 Ontario Budget - Confronting the
Challenge: Building Our Economic Future.
Canada and Ontario are working together to create jobs and boost
the economy, while making significant investments that help
communities improve their infrastructure.
Disponible en francais
BACKGROUNDER
Canada and Ontario Partner With Six Not-For-Profit Organizations
in London, Ontario to Make Important Infrastructure Invesments
On December 21, 2009, the Government of Canada and the Province
of Ontario announced funds to help six community organizations
in London, Ontario complete much needed infrastructure projects
by March 31, 2011.
The federal portion of the funding is provided under the $4
billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to support
construction-ready infrastructure projects. The Infrastructure
Stimulus Fund complements existing federal infrastructure
funding by focusing on short-term objectives for economic
stimulus. Ontario's matching contribution is provided through
the 2009 Ontario Budget - Confronting the Challenge: Building
Our Economic Future.
Canada and Ontario are each investing one-third of project
costs, while partner organizations are investing the remaining
one-third towards their specific renovation projects.
Goodwill Industries: A total investment of $11,694,454 will go
towards building the Goodwill Social Enterprise Abilities
Centre, which will be a new 90,000 square foot building to
provide socially disadvantaged people with access to affordable
goods, skills training and employment opportunities.
South-Western Ontario Children's Care Inc.: A total investment
of $7.8 million will go towards the Ronald McDonald House of
South-Western Ontario Expansion project, which will increase
common area space and the number of bedrooms, ensuites and play
areas, in addition to renovation and safety upgrades for the
existing building.
The Hutton House Association for Adults with Disabilities: A
total investment of $768,750 will go towards the Hutton House
Main Building Expansion project, which will rehabilitate and
expand the existing facility space to include renovated
training, meeting and counselling areas and improve safety
standards of the current building.
The Grand Theatre: A total investment of $2,759,375 will go
towards the Grand Theatre Rehabilitation project, which will
renovate the existing building in order to improve the safety,
efficiency, and longevity of the theatre.
The Ontario Society for Crippled Children (operating as Easter
Seals Ontario): A total investment of $3,975,790 will go towards
the Multi-Sport/ Activity Indoor Centre project, which will
replace the existing recreation centre with safer, more
accessible facilities, available all year round, for all those
who live in the community.
Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU): A total investment of
$4,169,872 will go towards The Cornerstone project, which is an
historic property currently owned by YOU, and will be converted
into temporary affordable housing and an alternative education
centre for youth to be operated as a social enterprise.
