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Infrastructure & #Econ4Tmro: SOHI, IVESON; Edm Nov10

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Infrastructure & #Econ4Tmro: SOHI, IVESON; Edm Nov10

  • Date: October 24, 2016, 12:00 am to
  • To register: http://albertaenterprisegroup.com/events/luncheon-with-honourable-amarjeet-sohi/
  • For more information:

AEG & The Pearson Centre Present:
Luncheon with Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

Panel conversation to follow.

Infrastructure and the Economy for Tomorrow

In partnership with The Pearson Centre, the Alberta Enterprise Group (AEG) is pleased to present the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, at a luncheon at Edmonton’s Shaw Conference Centre on Thursday, November 10th.

Minister Sohi will discuss the Trudeau government’s priorities for the infrastructure development and growth.

He will then be joined by Edmonton City Mayor Don Iveson and Stantec Vice President Simon O’Byrne in a panel discussion moderated by Iris Evans – where they will discuss Edmonton’s unprecedented growth, and its role in the knowledge and energy economies as they come together.

Luncheon with Minister Amarjeet Sohi

Where: Edmonton’s Shaw Conference Centre
9797 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton

When: Thursday, November 10th
Program: Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Program from 12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m.
___________________________________________________________________________

KEYNOTE ADDRESS:
The Honourable AMARJEET SOHI
Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

to Alberta Enterprise Group &
Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy
Edmonton, Alberta
November 10, 2016

First of all, I want to thank you for that very kind and generous introduction.

It’s my pleasure join you to day to talk about the importance of infrastructure in building Canada’s future.

As a former City of Edmonton bus driver and Councillor, I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact that infrastructure can have on families, businesses, and communities.

Infrastructure provides opportunity … and I have seen how infrastructure can change lives. How it gets people to their work and children to school. How it can lift families out of poverty. How it can help grow businesses. How it can build communities. And how it strengthens our country.

There couldn’t be better timing to tell you about the work our government is doing and our ambitious agenda – an agenda that is focused on Canada’s future.

Investing in Canada – The Long-Term Plan

Ladies and gentlemen, we know that Canada’s infrastructure demands have outpaced investment for decades.

And make no mistake – underfunding infrastructure has a cost. And it is substantive. It causes the traffic congestion that stifles the productivity of our workers and our businesses.

Underfunding infrastructure means that our seniors have a harder time accessing essential services. It means a lack of quality childcare and affordable places to live, which robs children and parents of opportunity.

Underfunding infrastructure means that cities across our great country are already at a disadvantage when competing for the world’s top talent.

These are the reasons we’ve been working with partners across the country to design a long-term plan that meets the real needs of our communities.

In Budget 2016, we launched the first phase of our infrastructure plan. This initial phase makes vital and too long neglected repairs to critical infrastructure.

And we did not waste any time rolling out the first phase. We have signed bilateral agreements with all Provinces and Territories, and approved more than 750 projects.

And 65% of those projects are already underway. Vital repairs are being made. Projects are being designed. Buses and trains are being purchased.

But this is only the first step.

Last week, my colleague Minister Morneau provided the Government of Canada’s Fall Economic Statement, laying out the fiscal framework of our long-term infrastructure plan.

It is an ambitious agenda …

… but generations ago, our nation made investments—investments in the national railway and the Trans-Canada Highway—to improve the future prosperity and quality of life for every generation that followed.

Now is the time to, again, make these transformative investments in our communities, in our country, and in our future. And that’s why our government is making unprecedented investments in infrastructure.

Including the work already underway, our long-term infrastructure plan will invest more than $180 billion in federal funding over 12 years.

These investments will create long-term economic growth; build inclusive, sustainable communities; and support a low carbon, green economy.

Our cities – small and large – and the people living in them, are the heart of our great country. But if we want to compete with cities around the world, we need our cities to be at their absolute best.

And that’s why our plan is focused on five key areas. Public transit. Green infrastructure. Social infrastructure. Trade and transportation. And rural and northern communities.

Strategic infrastructure investments in these areas are critical to our communities for several reasons.

Communities thrive when they are known for a high quality of life. Clean air, clean water, efficient transit, access to key services. Investments in these areas build the foundation of places where people want to live and work – it helps our cities attract and keep talent and foster innovation.

In increasingly competitive global marketplace, investing in trade and transportation projects that build stronger, more efficient transportation corridors will help pave the way for Canadian businesses to get their products to market – both domestically and internationally. Through these investments, we can help unlock opportunities for businesses while growing and creating more jobs for Canada’s middle class.

But when we invest in infrastructure, we cannot forget that we are investing in Canadians. Getting people to the services and opportunities they need to thrive. Getting Canadian businesses the support they need to attract talent, grow, and compete globally.

The Smart Cities Challenge

If we want to compete with cities around the world, we need our cities to be at their absolute best… and we must find new ways to drive innovation and foster positive change in our cities.

That’s why our Fall Economic Statement announced our intention to create a Smart Cities Challenge. Based on similar experiences in the United State, India, and other countries, this competition will offer an opportunity for cities to innovate, take risks, and think outside the box.

And to engage the private sector, civil society, and citizens to design and implement new ideas that provide real benefits to cities and citizens. Think of it as an X Prize for cities – or maybe more like Dragon’s Den. More details will come in the next few months…

… but we will be looking for big ideas.

For example, the City of Toronto partnered with a number of not for profit and private sector partners to run a hackathon aimed at tackling traffic congestion in the city. The winner was a group of volunteers working for 36 hours straight, taking the GPS data from buses and streetcars – made open by the City – to map the city’s most unreliable intersections… their theory being that unpredictability is the most frustrating part of commuting.

As a result, the City has now developed a targeted strategy to tackle the most unreliable intersections in the City with the aim of relieving traffic congestion and getting commuters moving.
These types of competitions are happening around the world and Canada needs to encourage this type of innovation, challenging our citizens and cities to effect positive change for the future.
Canada Infrastructure Bank

In a world where governments at all levels lack the resources they need to fund the overwhelming demand for infrastructure, governments also need to find innovative ways to effectively mobilize private capital…

…to build the smart communities that our citizens need, and the inclusive communities that provide Canadians from all walks of life with opportunities.

That’s why our government also announced the creation of the Canada Infrastructure Bank during last week’s Fall Economic Statement.

The Infrastructure Bank will supplement our existing funding programs and build more new infrastructure projects.

It will add loans, loan guarantees, and equity participation to our toolkit.

It will also be a centre for excellence in infrastructure investment by the private sector, providing advice to allow for better planning and procurement decisions.

Many infrastructure projects will have no need for the Bank. And we will not impose it on any of our partners. But we will work with willing partners who think this can offer them additional value.

Conclusion – Rebuilding Canada for the 21st Century

Ladies and gentlemen, we live in a world that is smaller and more connected than ever before. Every day we see examples of countries that are pushing the limits of innovation and cities that are driving investment.

More and more, Canadian cities are carving out their own place as leaders on the world stage. As progressive, inclusive, and competitive places to live.

That’s why we work with people like you. People who know the needs of their communities and have a vision for the future.

We have some of the greatest cities on the planet – but they need our support.
And that’s why we need to invest in the infrastructure that will build Canada’s future.

Thank you for your time.

I look forward to carrying on our discussion through the panel session with Mayor Iveson, Simon, and Iris.

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