Canadian Construction Association Pleased with Partnership Announcement to Build Windsor-Detroit Bridge

Construction of a second bridge highlights the importance of Canada’s core infrastructure as it relates to economic growth

OTTAWA, June 15, 2012 - The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) was very happy to see the Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s announcement today of a new partnership with Michigan to build a second bridge in the Windsor-Detroit transportation corridor.

"Today's announcement shows the Government of Canada recognizes the importance and significance of new infrastructure as it relates to the Canadian economy," said Michael Atkinson, president of the CCA. "Transportation corridors such as Windsor/Detroit help to transport millions of dollars in goods between Canada and the U.S., and construction of these projects not only provides economic stimulus during the project, but ensures a reliable and efficient infrastructure system exists to maintain a strong Canadian economy."

The construction of the new bridge is expected to create thousands of new jobs in the region, as well as hundreds of jobs to operate the bridge. At the same time, the bridge will help alleviate congestion in the traffic corridors of the region, and ensure fast, reliable, and efficient transportation of goods and people across the Canada/U.S. border.

The Canadian Construction Association has long promoted the importance of infrastructure investment as it relates to the strength of the Canadian economy. Since the inception of the Building Canada Plan, CCA has been pleased to see the number of infrastructure projects undertaken across Canada, all of which have contributed to the health of the construction sector and the Canadian economy.

“Investments such as the Asia-Pacific Gateway, CentrePort Canada in Manitoba, the Atlantic Gateway, and now this important investment in Windsor are all critical to the long-term health and stability of our Canadian economy,” Atkinson continued.

CCA is also actively involved with public and private sector stakeholders to ensure a sustainable infrastructure plan can be put in place following the expiration of the Building Canada Plan in 2014.

Canada’s construction industry employs close to 1.3 million men and women, and accounts for approximately 6 per cent of Canada’s annual gross domestic product. It buys goods and services in every region of the country and in every sector of the economy.

About CCA:

The Canadian Construction Association is the voice of the national non-residential construction industry. It represents over 17,000 members in an integrated structure of some 70 local and provincial construction associations.

For more information:

Ken Lancastle
Associate Director of Communications and Technology
Canadian Construction Association
613-355-6063
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