FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 2009
Ottawa, Ontario – Royal Galipeau, MP (Ottawa–Orléans) and Councillors Rainer Bloess (Innes Ward), Rob Jellett (Cumberland Ward) and Bob Monette (Orléans Ward) today issued the following joint statement:
“We are very disappointed to read the paid advertisement by Phil McNeely, MPP (Ottawa–Orléans) in a recent edition of the Now EMC. We believe that Mr. McNeely’s remarks in this advertisement and leading up to this publication are incorrect, unproductive and unwelcome as we strive to work together to on behalf of the east-Ottawa communities.
“The Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Ottawa have been most productive in addressing current challenges within this global economic recession. We applaud their efforts to collectively invest billions in order to bring Canada out of this current situation into an even stronger position. The purpose of stimulus funding is not only to upgrade and build new roads, facilities, highways, railways and bridges, but also to provide an immediate investment into our economy through job creation.
“Projects were chosen because they met several criteria aimed at ensuring that the stimulus funding would be effective and deliver positive results to communities across Canada. Our community is no exception. We are proud of the work that will be done to the benefit of the people of Ottawa’s east-end. This includes very important projects such as:
• $5 million for the widening of Mer Bleue Road which will make this area safer for families and businesses;
• $2.5 million for the streetscaping of St. Joseph Boulevard to create cohesive aesthetics and restore the Heart of Orléans to its former village ambiance;
• $1.2 million for upgrades to local rural roads including widening, paving and/or repaving;
• $750,000 to upgraded and retrofit the Cumberland branch of the Ottawa Public Library to make it more energy efficient and modern;
• $200,000 for upgrades to the Blair Transitway station for a retrofit of the terminal and upgrades to the ramps and roadways;
• $20 million for phase 1 of the Hunt Club Road extension to connect Orléans with the Macdonald–Cartier International Airport, putting our commercial and industrial lands closer in time to the airport than even Parliament Hill;
• $149 million in city-wide investments in public transit which will make commuting faster and easier for people all over Ottawa, including Ottawa–Orléans;
• $18.73 million from the Government of Canada and the City of Ottawa to reduce wastewater overflows into the Ottawa River – an important investment given the significance of Petrie Island to our community;
• More than $9 million towards recreational infrastructure including a new community centre in Carlsbad Springs, an expansion to the Orléans YMCA–YWCA, an expansion to the Splash Wave Pool in North Gloucester, the expansion of the Hornet’s Nest soccer field house at Blackburn Hamlet and upgrades to several local parks and walking trails.
“Together, we have worked hard to bring these investments to our community. They are important and will provide benefits long into the future. We sincerely hope that the local MPP will join us at the table. His voice is needed. The support of the Government of Ontario is crucial to moving forward in a constructive and effective manner.
“We have many other challenges to face to help Ottawa’s east-end prosper. Only when we put partisan interests behind us will we be able to productively move forward for the benefit of all.
“We look forward to working with Mr. McNeely if he is prepared to do the same.”
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For more information:
Kyle Simunovic
Office of Royal Galipeau, MP
613-608-0289
kyle@royalgalipeau.ca
Coun. Rainer Bloess
Office of Rainer Bloess
613-580-2472
rainer.bloess@ottawa.ca
Coun. Rob Jellett
Office of Rob Jellett
613-580-2489
rob.jellett@ottawa.ca
Coun. Bob Monette
Office of Bob Monette
613-580-2471
bob.monette@ottawa.ca