The buzz word around town and in the media for the last few months has been “stimulus” – economic stimulus by way of investments in infrastructure. We all know the theory; by spending money on upgrading and adding infrastructure, governments are spurring the economy because they are creating jobs and demand for materials. But what exactly does this mean for our community?

Right here in Ottawa, the federal and provincial governments have invested over $250 million in infrastructure projects in our community. Although these projects include your traditional municipal infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, sewers and water systems, what I am most excited about is the community building component of these programs.

Through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, we are investing in important cultural projects in our community. This includes $250,000 to support the building of the Chinatown Gateway, over $3 million to renovate five libraries throughout the city – including the Sunnyside Branch on Bank Street, and $8 million to expand the Centrepointe Theatre.

To ensure that our community remains green and livable, we are also investing over $69 million to improve public transit by upgrading transit stations and transitway surfaces. We are also investing in pathways – improving our already superior system of bike and walk pathways so that residents of Ottawa can truly enjoy the natural side of our community.

Though investing in improving physical infrastructure is important to promote economic growth and ensure the smooth flow of people and goods, we cannot forget to continue to invest in people themselves.

That is why I am so excited to tell you that we are investing $158.5 million, along with the federal government, to repair and build new infrastructure on university and college campuses across Ottawa. Through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, four post-secondary institutions in Ottawa will receive significant funding to expand their facilities; creating new spaces for exciting research and new academic programs.

Through this fund, Carleton University is receiving $52.5 million to support the Waterfront Project that will build two new buildings to house the Faculty of Public Affairs as well as lecture theatres and a conference centre. This expansion will increase Carleton’s capacity by 1,100 undergraduate and 500 graduate students.

With the help of $30 million from federal government and $50 million from the Ontario government, the University of Ottawa will renovate and add a tower to Vanier Hall. The renovated hall and tower will be the main buildings for research teaching for 7,000 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate students. The buildings will house neuroscience laboratories, therapy rooms, teaching computer laboratories, animal care facilities and research space for Ph.D. and master students.

La Cité collègiale is receiving $26 million from both governments to build a new home for the 911 Institute that will house seven existing programs and five proposed programs related to security and emergency services. As a result, an additional 300 students will receive training in emergency services, and additional space will be created for students in health and sciences programs.

In addition, our government had previously provided Algonquin College with $35 million to build a new Environmental Demonstration Centre for Construction Trades and Building Sciences. The centre will bring together all of the college’s construction trades and building sciences programs and research, adding 600 new construction trades spaces and housing a total of 2,500 students.

These investments are important for our community. They are creating jobs and generating demand for materials. They are strengthening our physical spaces, allowing us to build stronger, more reliable and efficient systems to move people and goods. Most importantly, these investments are building up our people. We are funding the expansion of our institutions of higher learning so that more students can gain the knowledge they need to compete in tomorrow’s high-tech economy.

I am excited about the changes in our community. I know that construction can sometimes create delays and frustration when you are commuting or simply trying to go to your favourite restaurant for dinner. Please be patient – these delays are necessary and will be temporary . I encourage you to continue to visit your favourite stores and restaurants during construction – they need your patronage now more than ever!

Please don’t hesitate to contact me at my Community Office if you have any questions about these projects, or any stimulus funding being announced. I look forward to your feedback on how we can continue to more forward together.

You may contact me anytime at 613-722-6414 or ynaqvi.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org.

Have a safe and happy summer!