Government Supports Economic Development: Menzies Commends the Federal Government’s Commitment to the Economy

July 05, 2006

OTTAWA – Ted Menzies, Member of Parliament for Macleod and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation commends the Government’s Commitment to the Economy.

 “I am pleased to see the Government supporting Alberta’s economy.” said Menzies. “It is a clear demonstration of our commitment to Alberta’s future, economic sustainability, and quality of life.”

 The Government of Canada has invested $9.2 million under the Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA) for 10 innovation and economic development projects in Alberta. The projects will focus on innovative research and environmental technologies. Of particular note, is a $6 million research project investigating geological storage of carbon dioxide and a $2.3 million initiative to further develop fuel cell technology in Western Canada. Other highlights include a $1.8 million project focused on developing the bio-products industry in Alberta, and a $900,000 investment in services to build business capacity among early stage environmental technology firms.

The Conservative Government has also invested $2.5 million toward the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology’s Centre for Innovative Information Technology Solutions to increase technology adoption in the energy sector. The Centre will providing companies with business and process analysis, and a safe, vendor-neutral environment to learn and train with leading-edge information technology products and systems.

The Government has invested $850,000 for the conversion of the Women Building Futures (WBF) Society’s new training facility. This newly converted facility will be able to accommodate more women in training programs and supply more apprenticeship-ready workers for Alberta's construction industry. The WBF Society is recognized as a key supplier of quality trades people. To date, the Society has graduated over 200 low-income women from its 14-week pre-apprentice training program.

$600,000 has also been allocated for the restoration and preservation of the Medicine Hat Clay Industries National Historic District. Medicine Hat’s clay products industry has been active for over 100 years, and the site serves as an important Canadian historical landmark. The investment will promote tourism and economic development in the region.

The Government has invested $125,000 toward the Heritage Community Foundation’s Information Technology/Animation Aboriginal Project which will provide Aboriginal students with on-the-job training and work experience in interactive media, enhance their knowledge of animation programming and web research/development, and prepare them for careers in information technology.

 “Alberta has a bright future in store.” said Menzies. “And I am pleased to be part of that future.”

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For further information, please contact: The office of Ted Menzies at (613) 995-8471