VICTORIA — Eve Adams, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs, today announced that the Government of Canada will provide up to $37.5 million in funding to replace the Johnson Street Bridge. Parliamentary Secretary Adams was joined for the announcement by the Honourable Ida Chong, British Columbia’s Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development; His Worship Dean Fortin, Mayor of Victoria; and Rhona Martin, second vice-president of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.

“Our government is proud to invest in the replacement of the Johnson Street Bridge,” said Parliamentary Secretary Adams. “Canadians gave us a strong mandate to stay focused on the economy, and we are investing in key infrastructure projects across the country to create jobs and economic growth, and lay the foundation for long-term prosperity.”

Over the next four years, the Johnson Street Bridge project is expected to create an estimated 900 jobs and $500 million in economic development. The new bridge will include on-road bicycle lanes; improved accessibility for pedestrians, strollers and scooters; safer road approaches; and connections to the Galloping Goose trail and the future Harbour Pathways.

The estimated total cost of the replacement project is $77 million. The federal government’s contribution includes $21 million from the Building Canada Fund and $16.5 million through Canada’s Gas Tax Fund. The City of Victoria will fund the remainder of the costs.

“The replacement of the Johnson Street Bridge is the single most important infrastructure project undertaken by the City of Victoria. It is a vital transportation link for the entire region and helps support our thriving downtown,” said Mayor Fortin. “This unprecedented investment by the federal government is deeply appreciated by our city.”

“The cost of replacing aging infrastructure like the Johnson Street Bridge underscores the importance of revenue sharing programs like the Gas Tax Fund,” said Ms. Martin. “UBCM is very appreciative of the contributions this program is making to infrastructure throughout British Columbia.”

 “This is a good example of how the Gas Tax Fund is supporting local economies and jobs,” said Minister Chong. “Eventual replacement of this bridge will streamline access for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians, providing an improved link to accommodate the region’s future growth and supporting low-carbon transportation options for residents and visitors alike.”

 Canada’s Gas Tax Fund provides stable, long-term funding to local governments and other organizations to help them build and revitalize public infrastructure. The fund primarily supports capital projects such as local roads, public transit, energy systems and waste management infrastructure that lead to cleaner air, cleaner water or reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The UBCM administers the Gas Tax Fund in B.C. in collaboration with Canada and British Columbia. The Government of Canada, through the Gas Tax Fund, provides approximately $250 million in annual funding for municipal infrastructure in British Columbia. On December 15, 2011, the Government of Canada passed legislation to make the Gas Tax Fund a permanent annual investment of $2 billion.

 The new Johnson Street Bridge will be complete and open to traffic by the end of March 2016.

Victoria is an established training hub for high-performance athletes for sports such as Swimming, Rowing, Rugby and Triathlon, and the exclusive reception was attended by scores of Victoria-area athletes, sport leaders and volunteers.

“Some of Canada’s finest athletes were either raised or have trained for success right here in Victoria,” said Canadian Olympic Committee President Marcel Aubut. “We have ample proof that the entire British Columbia sport community understand the true meaning of the word ‘team’ and the Canadian Olympic Team is the stronger for it.”

“One out of every five Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes reside in Victoria and the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence is proud of the role we play in supporting this inspiring community,” said Peter Lawless, Board member of both the COC and PISE. “We are delighted to be joining the Canadian Olympic Committee in recognizing the contribution of the Victoria sport community to building a strong Canadian Olympic Team.”

“As an athlete it is very exciting to have the Canadian Olympic Committee Board in Victoria, B.C.,” said Brian Price, Coxswain for the Olympic Gold medal-winning Men’s Eight in Rowing. “They invest a tremendous amount of time, effort and money into not only us as athletes but also the facilities, equipment, coaching and medical support needed to achieve Olympic success.  There is no doubt in my mind that the Canadian Olympic Committee continues to be a committed partner with rowing in our pursuit of excellence in London this summer.”

“The Victoria sport community has a reputation for athletic excellence and is home to numerous high-achieving athletes, many of which have gone on to reach the Olympic podium,” said Eve Adams, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Veterans Affairs, speaking on behalf of The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). “On behalf of the Harper government, I salute your efforts, and look forward to cheering with you, and all Canadians, as we watch our athletes compete in London this summer.”

 “This afternoon is truly a celebration of British Columbia’s exceptional contribution to high performance sport in Canada,” said Ida Chong, Provincial Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. “Today, as we come together as a community, it is clear we have not only had a tremendous impact in the past and present of Canadian sport, but that we can look forward to an incredible future as well.”

The reception was held in conjunction with the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Board Meeting which is taking place over the weekend on March 3rd and 4th.

“It is truly heart-warming to know that Canadians have not forgotten the sacrifices and service of our country’s heroes,” said Ms. Adams. “Creating these valentines is a small gesture, but it says so much about the special place we will always have in our hearts for our Veterans.”

The Valentines for Vets program, run by Veterans Affairs Canada, helps Canadian schools, individuals and organizations send tens of thousands of Valentine’s Day cards to Veterans in long-term care facilities across Canada. In its 16th year in Canada, the program will see Veterans in more than 2,000 long-term care facilities receive cards this Valentine’s Day.

Valentines for Vets began in the United States in 1989 when Ann Landers, the late American newspaper columnist, made a call to action in her column, encouraging her readers to send cards, on February 14, to Veterans in long-term care facilities.

For more information on the Valentines for Vets program, visit the Veterans Affairs Canada Web site at veterans.gc.ca and search “Valentines for Vets.”

“These twelve individuals are making a real and lasting difference with their service and dedication to our nation’s truest heroes,” said Minister Blaney. “On behalf of all Canadians, I am proud to be able to acknowledge their extraordinary efforts in helping to provide the care and recognition our Veterans and their families deserve. Today we recognize their hard work and honour them.”

The Parliamentary Secretary presented the Commendation to the following individuals:

Robert Barrett, Dartmouth
Thomas Cane, Dartmouth
Russell Farrell, Halifax
Harry Ferguson, New Glasgow
John Gaetan, Scotchtown
Richard Halliday, East Clifford
Barry Keeler, Halifax
Cordell Levy, Kingston
Theodorus Martens, St. Peter’s
Donald McLeod, Bedford
Tremaine Sampson, Florence
Gerald Sigrist, Bridgewater

“It is an honour to be here today to pay tribute to these exceptional individuals who have contributed so much in service to our Veterans,” said Ms. Adams. “Our Government is proud to recognize these Canadians who volunteer their time and efforts to give back to our Veterans.”

The Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation includes a bar, which can be worn below official decorations on a Veteran’s blazer, as well as a lapel pin for civilian wear and a certificate.

The Commendation is presented to individuals who have contributed to the care and well-being of Veterans and to the remembrance of their contributions, sacrifices and achievements. It is intended primarily for Veterans, but in some circumstances may also be awarded to non-Veterans. Nominations may be submitted at any time and are reviewed annually by an advisory committee.

Find more information on the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation, including the accomplishments and biographies of the 12 recipients, on the Veterans Affairs Canada Web site at >veterans.gc.ca.

Media Enquiries:

All Other Enquiries:
information@vac-acc.gc.ca

Not for Eve Adams, though. When the MP for Mississauga-Brampton South feels the urge to do some bodychecking or fire a slapshot, she invites Canada’s minister of national defence to join in.
Peter MacKay was in Mississauga today, in front of Adams’ Indian Summer Trail home, battling it out with Adams and neighbourhood kids in a take-no-prisoners game of road hockey.
Adams has been known to brag about her baseball prowess; it’s unclear how she fared in Canada’s national pastime.
Most of the players, including Adams and MacKay, wore red and white to support Canadian troops serving overseas.
“I am honoured to have the opportunity to welcome Minister MacKay to Mississauga,” said Adams, who doubles as parliamentary secretary to Minister of Veterans Affairs Steven Blaney. “It is wonderful to be able to join together as a community to support our troops.”
jchin@mississauga.net

 

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and Mississauga-Brampton South MP Eve Adams were on hand at World Vision’s Canadian headquarters in Mississauga today to promote the East Africa Drought Relief Fund.
Between July 6 and Sept. 16, Canadians are encouraged to donate to an eligible Canadian charity responding to the drought in the Horn of Africa.
For every dollar raised, the federal government will match the same amount in donations to the East Africa Drought Relief Fund.
“Our government is deeply saddened by the extent of the crisis, which my colleague (Minister of International Cooperation) Beverley Oda has recently witnessed,” Flaherty said in his speech.
“We remain committed to helping our African friends.”
All funds raised will be added to the Canadian International Development Agency’s contribution of $22 million and a $50 million pledge by the federal government announced on Friday.
“World Vision deeply appreciates Minister Flahery’s generosity,” stated World Vision Canada president and CEO Dave Toycen.
“And we are grateful for his call to Canadians to donate to Canadian humanitarian organizations that are providing hope to those who are battling drought, disease and despair in the Horn of Africa.”
According to the United Nations, over 11 million people are suffering from a series of severe droughts affecting Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Somalia, Djibouti and Eritrea.
Many people have fled their homes and are now left with limited access to food, clean water and shelter. The U.N. fears tens of thousands of people have already died in the famine in Somalia.

Time to remember. Prime Minister Stephen Harper, accompanied by Senator Yonah Martin, receives the Government of Canada wreath from Parade Commander Sam Carr at the Korea Veterans National Wall of Remembrance in Meadowvale Cemetery. Harper was here to help honour those Canadians who served in the Korean War from 1953-55. Senator Martin was born in South Korea and came to Canada at age 7. Photo by Bryon Johnson

Mississauga Brampton-South MP Eve Adams joined Prime Minister Stephen Harper as he commemorated the 58th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice yesterday during a visit to neighbouring Brampton.
Adams is Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Veterans Affairs Steve Blaney, who was also on hand for the ceremony.
Harper laid a wreath at the Korea Veterans National Wall of Remembrance in Meadowvale Cemetery as a tribute to those who fought and died in the conflict.
Between 1950 and 1953 more than 26,000 Canadians fought in the Korean conflict, during which 516 Canadians died.
Another 7,000 Canadians served there between the signing of the armistice and the end of 1955. Canadians were one of the largest contingents in the international force.
“The selfless sacrifice of those who served in Korea helped establish Canada’s reputation as a nation that will fight against injustice and repression beyond its borders,” said Harper. He vowed that, “Canada will continue to stand fearlessly with its allies when the cause is just.”