Canadian distributors press ministers for infrastructure investment

In a Jan. 16 letter, 34 Canadian AED members asked Transport, Infrastructure & Communities Minister Denis Lebel and Finance Minister James Flaherty to renew and expand the country’s commitment to infrastructure.

Signed at the annual Canadian reception and luncheon at the 2013 AED Summit & CONDEX, the letter expresses the industry’s concern that under investment will harm the nation’s long-term economic vitality and competitiveness.
 
“We urge you to work during the current budget cycle and in the coming year to lay the foundation for a long-term infrastructure program, future annual federal investment of at least $5.75 billion, and the indexing of the gas tax to ensure it keeps pace with inflation,” the signatories stated.
 
AED is ramping up its pressure in Ottawa as Building Canada, the $8.8-billion fund for construction projects, is set to expire in 2014. Working with its members in Canada and with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC), AED hopes to raise visibility on the critical need for sustaining the country’s infrastructure networks. The association recently committed $5,000 to a new CCC infrastructure initiative to press the Canadian government for long-term, stable infrastructure investment.