Released on March 26, 2002
Projects approved this year under the Prairie Grain Roads Program (PGRP),delivered jointly by Canada and Saskatchewan, are expected to generate more
than $49 million in upgrades for Saskatchewan roads impacted by heavy grain
traffic.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lyle Vanclief joined Deputy Premier and
Agriculture and Food Minister Clay Serby, on behalf of Highways and
Transportation Minister Mark Wartman, today in announcing approval of 19
provincial secondary highway construction projects in Saskatchewan under
year two of the federal-provincial-municipal cost-sharing program.
"Saskatchewan's roads and highways are among the busiest grain traffic
routes in the world," Vanclief said. "They carry millions of dollars worth
of grain every year and are extremely important to the economy. The
Prairie Grain Roads Program will help ensure these vital corridors of
commerce remain in the best condition possible."
"We are pleased the federal government is involved in this multi-year
partnership with the Province to strengthen highways in rural
Saskatchewan," Serby said. "This will assist us in meeting public demands
to improve rural highways impacted by changing grain transportation
patterns, so that they can support the rural economy in the future."
Nineteen, multi-year secondary highway projects have been approved this
year contributing to the upgrade of 322 kilometres of Saskatchewan
roadway. The PGRP federal contribution is approximately $24.6 million with
Saskatchewan matching this for a total project investment of $49.2 million.
In 2001, the first year of the program, 43 rural projects, 23 secondary
highway projects and one urban project were approved for funding in
Saskatchewan, contributing to the repair of 564 kilometres of roadway. The
PGRP federal contribution was approximately $21.8 million, with
Saskatchewan project totals estimated at $48.5 million.
Under the PGRP - a five-year, $175 million program aimed at grain-road
upgrades in the four Western provinces - the federal government will invest
$106.8 million into the reconditioning of Saskatchewan's grain-impacted
roads and secondary highways. Cost-shared injections by the province and
municipal partners will trigger $217 million in total project assistance
over the duration of the program.
Manitoba will collect $34 million in PGRP assistance over five years, $32
million will go to Alberta, and $2.2 million is designated for road
improvements in British Columbia's Peace River Region. In total, the PGRP
is expected to generate $334 million worth of road work in Western Canada
over the life of the program.
Announced in the spring of 2001, the PGRP will operate through the fiscal
years 2001-2006. All projects under the program must be completed by Dec.
31, 2005.
Continued growth and prosperity in the Canadian agriculture and agri-food
sector is a key goal of the Agricultural Policy Framework agreed to in
principle by Canada's agriculture ministers last year in Whitehorse,
Yukon. During their annual meeting there, ministers agreed to work
together on an integrated action plan to brand Canada as the world leader
in food safety, environmentally responsible production, and innovation.
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For more information, contact:
Donald Boulanger Media Relations
Press Secretary Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Mr. Vanclief's office Ottawa
Ottawa Phone: (613) 759-7972
Phone: (613) 759-1761
Vanessa Gooliaff Beaupré
Communications
Highways and Transportation
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-4792