EDA News Centre

Ottawa, Ontario, April 16, 2012 –Today, PPP Canada launched Round Four, call for proposals for the P3 Canada Fund, encouraging provinces, territories, First Nations and municipalities to consider the P3 model in delivering their public infrastructure priorities.

The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that investments in public infrastructure contribute to Canada’s long-term economic growth and deliver maximum value for Canadians. As part of this commitment, PPP Canada’s focus in Round Four will be on public infrastructure projects that promote jobs and stimulate economic growth including transportation, water/wastewater, solid waste disposal and brownfield redevelopment related projects.

"Under Round Four, PPP Canada will continue to support the development of innovative P3 projects," said John McBride, CEO of PPP Canada. "Preference will be given to those projects that demonstrate substantial involvement by the private sector throughout the project’s life cycle and provide evidence that as a P3 the project will deliver value for money compared to traditional procurement."

PPP Canada works with other levels of government to promote the effective use of P3s through advocacy, expertise and the strategic use of the P3 Canada Fund. By offering advice and expertise to its clients, PPP Canada ensures proper due diligence is followed across all stages of the project development lifecycle. The result is a well-structured procurement that is well planned and follows best practices ensuring transparency, fairness and competiveness.

To date, PPP Canada has announced more than $109 million in funding commitments under Rounds One and Two to seven projects, encouraging the continued development of the market for P3 projects in Canada into new infrastructure classes. Round Three announcements are expected in the coming months.

About PPP Canada and the P3 Canada Fund

PPP Canada has a mandate to improve and increase the delivery of public infrastructure by achieving better value, timeliness and accountability to taxpayers, through P3s.

PPP Canada acts as a leading source on P3 matters through knowledge development and sharing. In addition, the Corporation provides expertise and advice in assessing and executing P3 opportunities at the federal level as well as leveraging greater value for money from federal investments in provincial, territorial, municipal and First Nations infrastructure through the P3 Canada Fund.

The $1.2 billion P3 Canada Fund is a merit based program, designed to incent the use of P3 procurement in delivering public infrastructure projects. Eligible projects can receive up to 25% of the direct cost of construction supported through non-repayable contributions, repayable contributions, loans or loan guarantees. The $1.2 billion is 2

committed over a 5 year period starting 2009/10 and is allocated to PPP Canada on an annual basis, subject to approval by Parliament.

PPP Canada expects the Fund to directly leverage $5 billion in P3 infrastructure investments across Canada. In addition, these combined sources of funding will be used to underpin in excess of $5 billion in private capital Financing.

To assist Round Four applicants in preparing their submissions to the P3 Canada Fund, PPP Canada has developed an Application Guide which provides detailed information of the Fund’s eligibility and evaluation process and detailed instructions on how to prepare a submission. In addition, PPP Canada has created a P3 Business Case Development Guide which outlines the necessary steps to the development of a comprehensive and robust P3 business case. Project sponsors whose applications are retained for further analysis will be required to follow this guide in preparing their Business Case for submission. Both Guides are available for download on PPP Canada’s website at www.p3canada.ca .

In order to be considered under Round Four, applicants are required to submit their application no later than June 15, 2012. Applicants will receive written notification of PPP Canada’s screening decision in the fall 2012. All interested applicants are encouraged to contact PPP Canada or their designated contact, identified in the Application Guide, to discuss the viability of their project before submitting an application.

For further information on PPP Canada and the Government of Canada P3 Canada Fund investments visit: www.p3canada.ca

Ottawa, Ontario, February 22, 2012: Canada is a global leader in developing clean technologies. To maintain this momentum, SDTC announced today its 21^st call for applications, which will be open until April 18^th, 2012. 

“In every corner of this country, some of Canada’s brightest minds are developing technology that brings together economic prosperity and environmental responsibility,” said SDTC President and CEO Vicky Sharpe. “We want to work with these entrepreneurs to help bring their projects to commercialization. These clean technologies are the key to Canada’s future growth and prosperity.”

SDTC is a not-for-profit corporation created and funded by the Government of Canada to finance and support the late-stage development and pre-commercial demonstration of clean technologies. Through its SD Tech Fund™, SDTC helps companies through the critical juncture when capital and scaling costs become challenges and the risk profile deters other investors. SDTC supports technologies that address the challenges of Climate Change, Clean Air, Soil and Water, including technology solutions focused on these current priority areas:

• Natural Resources Mitigate environmental impacts associated with Canada’s natural resource sector including “green mining”, cleaner fossil fuels and forestry. Clean Energy Enable cleaner energy production, including natural gas, and improved energy efficiency of transportation, the built environment and industrial processes.
• Agriculture Increase yield and improve temperature and drought resistance of agricultural crops and mitigate land-use changes and biodiversity loss.
• Northern/Remote Communities Innovative solutions for self-sufficiency in smaller communities. Packaged Solutions Integrated technology packages that combine one or more clean technologies, such as renewable energy generation, energy storage, and waste and wastewater management SDTC will host a series of webinars to guide prospective applicants through the process, ensuring the best ideas rise to the surface. A schedule of these webinars is available at www.sdtc.ca/workshops.

• Potential applicants are encouraged to review the Statement of Interest process and funding requirements at sdtc.ca/applications.

  The SDTC portfolio is currently comprised of 228 clean technology projects, for a total value of $1.9 billion, of which over $1.4 billion is leveraged primarily from the private-sector.

   

  About SDTC

  Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) is an arm’s-length foundation created by the Government of Canada which has received $1.09 billion as part of the Government’s commitment to create a healthy environment and a high quality of life for all Canadians.

   

  SDTC operates two funds aimed at the development and demonstration of innovative technological solutions.  The $590 million SD Tech Fund™ supports projects that address climate change, air quality, clean water, and clean soil.  The $500 million NextGen Biofuels Fund™ supports the establishment of first-of-kind large demonstration-scale facilities for the production of next-generation renewable fuels.

   

• SDTC operates as a not-for-profit corporation and has been working with the public and private sector including industry, academia, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the financial community and all levels of government to achieve this mandate.

In December of 2010, Statistics Canada's Property Value Assessment Unit released data prepared for the administration of the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act and Regulations. These data, now available on the CID at the community level, include:

o residential property taxable values <http://map.cid-bdc.ca/carto.php?lang=en&nivgeos=sdr&curCodeDomCH=demo&curCodeThemeCH=muntax&typindCH=C&curCodeIndCH=rtaxval&curserieCH=2009> , o property tax revenues <http://map.cid-bdc.ca/carto.php?lang=en&nivgeos=sdr&curCodeDomCH=demo&curCodeThemeCH=muntax&typindCH=C&curCodeIndCH=ttaxrev&curserieCH=2008> , and o population estimates <http://map.cid-bdc.ca/carto.php?lang=en&nivgeos=sdr&curCodeDomSB=demo&curCodeThemeSB=popestimates&typindSB=R&curCodeIndSB=popest&curserieSB=2005>  (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)

Natural Resources Canada's 2006 resource-reliant indicator is now available on the CID. Resource reliance is a measure of the relative importance of a resource sector to a particular community. Resource sectors include: Agriculture <http://map.cid-bdc.ca/carto.php?lang=en&nivgeos=sdr&curCodeDomCH=demo&curCodeThemeCH=resource&typindCH=C&curCodeIndCH=agrrel> , Energy <http://map.cid-bdc.ca/carto.php?lang=en&nivgeos=sdr&curCodeDomCH=demo&curCodeThemeCH=resource&typindCH=C&curCodeIndCH=energyrel> , Fisheries <http://map.cid-bdc.ca/carto.php?lang=en&nivgeos=sdr&curCodeDomCH=demo&curCodeThemeCH=resource&typindCH=C&curCodeIndCH=fishrel> , Forestry <http://map.cid-bdc.ca/carto.php?lang=en&nivgeos=sdr&curCodeDomCH=demo&curCodeThemeCH=resource&typindCH=C&curCodeIndCH=forrel> , and Mining <http://map.cid-bdc.ca/carto.php?lang=en&nivgeos=sdr&curCodeDomCH=demo&curCodeThemeCH=resource&typindCH=C&curCodeIndCH=mmrel>

Counts of business establishments at the provincial and community level are available in a new "By the numbers <http://cid-bdc.ca/business_reg> " feature on the CID.

o Step 1: Select the province

o Step 2: Select your community

o Step 3: Select the year

The Community Information Database is a free Internet-based tool providing consistent and reliable social, economic and demographic data for all communities and regions across Canada.

The CID was developed by the Rural and Co-operatives Secretariat in collaboration with provincial, territorial and community partners. It is part of the Government of Canada's ongoing support to rural and remote communities.

We would welcome your comments on the CID. We would be particularly interested in hearing how the CID is useful to you. Please send an email to:

cid-bdc@agr.gc.ca

WWW: www.cid-bdc.ca

Saguenay, Quebec

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today met with Canadians involved with small and medium-sized businesses to discuss ways to continue creating jobs and economic growth in a difficult global economy.

“The global recovery remains fragile and protecting and creating jobs remains our Government’s number one priority,” said the Prime Minister.  “As we prepare for Economic Action Plan 2012, our Government will continue to listen to entrepreneurs, workers, small business owners and hard-working Canadians on the best ways to create jobs and economic growth.”

Thanks to Canada’s Economic Action Plan and Canada’s strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Among G-7 countries, Canada has posted the strongest growth in employment by far during the recovery with nearly 600,000 net new jobs created since July 2009.

Over the coming month, the Prime Minister, his Cabinet and caucus will travel to small towns, communities and cities across the country to listen to and seek the views of Canadians on the Government’s long-term Economic Action Plan.

In order to ensure that all Canadians can participate in this process, the Government of Canada has also launched online pre-budget consultations. Those wishing to make submissions can do so by visiting http://www.fin.gc.ca/prebudget-prebudgetaire/1-eng.asp.

Obama - Harper Border Action Plan

  

President Barack Obama and Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper met today in Washington, D.C. and released a New Action Plan for U.S.-Canada Cooperation.   

  

"These agreements represent the most significant step forward in Canada-U.S. co-operation since the North American Free Trade Agreement," Harper said Wednesday in Washington, D.C. with U.S. President Barack Obama.

  

President Obama said, "We're going to make it easier to conduct the trade and travel that creates jobs."

  

The Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness Action Plan identifies concrete steps to increase jobs and trade between the US and Canada and procedures to align regulations on products between our two nations. The joint action plan was developed through a coordinated consultative process and is intended to produce specific outcomes and timelines to improve border security and enhance economic cooperation by streamlining regulations to increase trade. It outlines specific steps the US and Canada are working on to better partner in trade, provide security in a risk based approach, and make it easier for legitimate goods and travel to take place between our two countries, enhancing our joint competitiveness in global markets.   

  

The Action Plan lays out a structure with responsibilities and timelines for success. It is a first step, and it will require leadership on both sides of the border to implement innovative solutions that improve the current trading and security relationship between the U.S. and Canada. The plan serves as a much needed framework for U.S. and Canadian Agencies to work collaboratively with stakeholders to build solutions for the future that make all of our businesses more competitive in the global marketplace.

  

Of notable interest here in the northwest related to our Cascades Train service from Eugene, OR to Vancouver, B.C., US Customs will conduct full preclearance of travellers and accompanying goods at Vancouver, B.C., for passenger rail and cruise ship traffic destined to the United States. Negotiations to this end will be completed by the end of 2012.

 

Under the action plan, companies will have a "single window" to submit all import data electronically rather than requiring up to 17 different forms.

 

More than $1.6 billion in goods and services as well as 300,000 people cross the Canada-United States border every day - that's over a million dollars a minute. More than 8 million U.S. jobs depend on trade with Canada. - with over 360,000 jobs in the 5 northwest states alone. Canada is the most important foreign export destination for 34 U.S. states, and Canada buys more goods and services from the United States than Germany and China combined. Finally, in 2010 the increase in exports to Canada alone was greater than all US trade with Brazil, double all US trade with India, and triple all US trade with Russia.

 

These numbers point to an excellent opportunity to look to our closest neighbour to increase jobs and enhance our economic recovery. Rep. Mike Schaufler of Oregon, President of PNWER said, "We applaud the leadership of President Obama and Prime Minister Harper and look forward to see many innovative solutions designed, built, and implemented here in the Pacific Northwest."

  

The Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) is a public/private non-profit created by statute in 1991 by the states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Washington, the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon and Northwest Territories.

  

For additional information, please contact:

Matt Morrison

Executive Director

Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER)

Phone: 206-443-7723

On December 2, 2011, the Government of Alberta announced the launch of a Red Tape Reduction Task Force.  This task force will engage small business leaders to build a stronger understanding of how red tape affects their operations and identify ways to improve the regulatory environment in which they operate.  

 

As representatives of the small business community, your views and experiences are an important part of this work.  Over the next few weeks, The Red Tape Reduction Task Force will be connecting with stakeholders to provide more details on the task force - as well as obtaining feedback on how to help Alberta businesses remain competitive and promote economic growth in our province.

 

Alberta’s regulatory reform agenda focuses on the quality of regulations. This means assessing the impact of regulations on businesses and stakeholders to ensure regulations are only used when needed and that the right rules are in place to accomplish what was intended – in an efficient manner.

 

For more information on the Red Tape Reduction Task Force visit: www.alberta.ca/RedTapeReduction.cfm.

Premier Alison Redford has named a new cabinet team that will get to work immediately on Albertans’ priorities.

“This cabinet reflects what change looks like. It’s a team that’s committed to listening to Albertans, and getting to work right away on bringing the change Albertans want and expect,” Redford said.

“As promised, there is a lot of new talent around the table that will change the way government works. There are also some familiar faces, including Doug Horner, who, as previously announced, will stay on as Deputy Premier.”

The new Cabinet will take the helm of a renewed government structure, including the creation of a Ministry of Human Services that will bring together programming for children and families in need.  Aboriginal relations and immigration will move to International, Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Relations to better coordinate federal and Aboriginal portfolios. &nbspThe function of economic development for the province will move to Treasury Board and Enterprise. The Ministry of Environment and Water will emphasize the importance of protecting one of Alberta’s greatest resources.

Cabinet was sworn-in by Alberta’s Lieutenant Governor on October 12 at Government House.  The event was broadcast live on www.alberta.ca. Its first meeting followed the swearing-in ceremony.

“With this new team in place, we’re ready to work for Albertans on a new agenda. One of our first jobs will be getting ready for the fall session and setting our agenda to move forward,” Redford said.

Redford also announced the appointment of nine parliamentary assistants and membership in the government’s renewed committee structure. A new Operations Committee will play a key role in the day-to-day coordination of the government’s agenda, including issues management, legislation and house planning, and communications.

Premier Redford’s Cabinet team in order of precedence

Minister	Ministry
Alison Redford, QC, Calgary-Elbow	Premier, President of Executive Council, Chair of Agenda and Priorities
Doug Horner, Spruce Grove-Sturgeon-St. Albert	Deputy Premier, President of Treasury Board and Enterprise
David Hancock, Edmonton-Whitemud	Minister of Human Services, Government House Leader
Ted Morton, Foothills-Rocky View	Minister of Energy
Verlyn Olson, Wetaskiwin-Camrose	Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Deputy Government House Leader
Fred Horne, Edmonton-Rutherford	Minister of Health and Wellness
Ron Liepert, Calgary-West	Minister of Finance
Thomas Lukaszuk, Edmonton-Castle Downs	Minister of Education
Diana McQueen, Drayton Valley-Calmar	Minister of Environment and Water
Jonathan Denis, Calgary-Egmont	Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security; Deputy Government House Leader
Cal Dallas, Red Deer-South	Minister of International, Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Relations
Evan Berger, Livingstone-Macleod	Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development
Frank Oberle, Peace River	Minister of Sustainable Resource Development
George VanderBurg, Whitecourt-Ste. Anne	Minister of Seniors
Ray Danyluk, Lac La Biche-St. Paul	Minister of Transportation
Jeff Johnson, Athabasca-Redwater	Minister of Infrastructure
Doug Griffiths, Battle River-Wainwright	Minister of Municipal Affairs
Greg Weadick, Lethbridge-West	Minister of Advanced Education and Technology
Jack Hayden,  Drumheller-Stettler	Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation
Heather Klimchuk, Edmonton-Glenora	Minister of Culture and Community Services
Manmeet Bhullar, Calgary-Montrose	Minister of Service Alberta

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One of our members, the Rural & Co-Operatives Secretariat has just launched a new Community Information Database (CID), that can be used in community and regional planning. The information is as follows:

The Community Information Database (CID) Team is pleased to announce the following new features available at: www.cid-bdc.ca

 

The CID has a new website with a new look and new client focused features:

• "Start Mapping" link for users that want to go directly into creating a map
• "Community Information Database" searchable link to community profiles for every community in Canada
• "Mapping Wizard" step by step wizard that introduces users to all of the mappable data on the CID
• Completely revamped mapping Help files available under the "Help/Support" link on the website

The Community Information Database is a free Internet-based tool providing consistent and reliable social, economic and demographic data for all communities and regions across Canada The CID was developed by the Rural and Co-operatives Secretariat in collaboration with provincial, territorial and community partners. It is part of the Government of Canada’s ongoing support to rural and remote communities.

The CID Team welcomes your comments, and would be interested in hearing how the CID is useful to you. If you are interested, send an email to: cid-bdc@agr.gc.ca.

Alberta Finance & Enterprise has updated its Community and Regional Economic Development Funding Programs information. To download it, click here.

On November 1 – 3, 2011, the Global Clean Energy Congress will bring together leading experts from around the world in the field of clean energy to discuss emerging technologies and strategies. 

This comprehensive conference and exhibition is highly technical for business-minded people.

The Congress will explore the possibilities of new and future technologies, demonstrate real-world applications of forward-thinking initiatives, and illuminate strategies for successful integration.

For more information click here http://globalcleanenergycongress.com/conference/