Big impact budget

Will touch every walk of life in Quinte

January 28 2009

Posted By W. BRICE MCVICAR, THE INTELLIGENCER

Bridges for Belleville, hundreds of millions in expansions to 8 Wing/CFB Trenton, new water systems for Tyendinaga Territory homes -- they're all on the wish list of local officials hoping for a slice of the budget pie.

Prince Edward-Hastings MP Daryl Kramp said his government's budget may contain "over $40 billion in stimulants" for across Canada, but the document will also have a direct impact on the Quinte region.

He said a number of areas of the budget will speak to residents here. One plum in particular, said Kramp, is money earmarked for improving Via stations. Only three communities in Ontario are scheduled to see some of these funds for passenger rail stations and Belleville is one of them.

"There's going to be a major revamping there and we'll also be putting in an extra line so there will be three lines along the corridor to help stop some of those long delays and holdups," Kramp said. "It'll also mean the addition of more trains."

That announcement was music to the ears of Angela Genereaux, general manager of the Belleville and District Chamber of Commerce. The local station, she said, has long been in need of attention and will benefit from the investment.

But, it's in Quinte West where the major federal infrastructure projects have already been earmarked. The federal budget is expected to accelerate a $500-million plan to expand and revitalize CFB Trenton.

Quinte West Mayor John Williams said the federal government can now move ahead on tenders for the multi-purpose training facility at CFB Trenton. That's the new home of Canada's secretive Joint Task Force 2.

Public Works Canada issued what's known as an expression of interest for the training facility in January 2008. The government announced JTF-2 would be moving to CFB Trenton last September, just days before the 2008 federal election was called.

The facility is slated to be constructed on property north of the base, purchased last year by the federal government.

"Talk about creating long-term jobs locally. When we talk about economic stimulus that's a project that also fits the bill,'' said Williams. "Those are long-term contracts that involve good paying construction jobs.''

Northumberland-Quinte West MP Rick Norlock agreed.

"While I can't say what we've discussed in caucus meetings, (CFB Trenton) has been brought to the finance minister's attention,'' said Norlock.

"CFB Trenton is a government asset and since we are committed to the project, why not start it sooner? Our infrastructure stimulus package is about construction jobs and economic stimulus.''

The federal government pegged the construction value of the JTF-2 headquarters at $500 million.

Closer to home, the release of the federal budget coincided with Belleville city council's first day of deliberations for its 2009 budget. Mayor Neil Ellis said the federal budget -- with its $4 billion over two years for ready-to-go infrastructure projects -- may be key in seeing some local projects completed.

A bridge over the Moira River, long-planned and linking Bell Boulevard to Cannifton Road at Adam Street, comes to mind for the mayor.

"We've got a lot of bridges and roads and some of our projects are ready to go," he said. "It'll let us get the local economy going with the employment and spinoff and the entire ripple effect."

A commitment by the government to spend $600 million for needs on aboriginal reserves --

money earmarked for such things as water systems, housing and education -- got a lukewarm reaction from the local chief of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte.

"It's a positive step toward addressing a tremendous backlog and need," said Chief R. Donald Maracle.

"It certainly will help many of the needs in First Nations communities," Maracle said, but noted it also "doesn't fulfill the Kelowna obligations of two years ago.

"We appreciate the help that's being offered to our communities, but there is an outstanding obligation" for the government to meet its past commitments, said Maracle.

In Prince Edward, Wellington's new arena and some much needed infrastructure plans are being pushed to the front burner after Tuesday's budget.

Prince Edward County CAO Richard Shannon said the municipality has many infrastructure requirements and is eager to see how funding will be distributed.

"No doubt we could certainly benefit from it, but the key is going to be how they do it," he said. "They've indicated they will want provincial and municipal participation in the program and if that's the case, perhaps they already have the answer looking them in the face in the Build Canada Fund."

The municipality is awaiting a decision on a $12-million application to replace the Wellington arena and Shannon suggested perhaps the best scenario is to simply extend the existing program.

"It's my understanding that the (requests) for the Build Canada Fund are three times the money allotted," he said. "And if they are looking for projects to be started and completed in the next two years, it would seem logical to me that they already have a program in place and may want to just expand it.

"Otherwise, if they start another program it's going to get pretty confusing. We certainly don't have to look far for worthy infrastructure here, so any help we can get will be greatly appreciated."

(With files from Bruce Bell, Luke Hendry)

Article ID# 1407502