OTTAWA, ON — Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced a six-month extension for completion of infrastructure projects under Canada’s Economic Action plan. The news was welcomed by David Anderson, Member of Parliament for Cypress Hills – Grasslands.

“A few projects in Cypress Hills – Grasslands would not have been ready by the March 31, 2011 deadline,” said Anderson. “We said our government would deal fairly with them, and today’s announcement confirms that.”

“Today, we have extended the deadline for completion of Economic Action Plan infrastructure projects by one full construction season, to October 31, 2011,” said the Prime Minister.  “This will allow sufficient time for completion of the remaining projects.” 

Although nearly 90 percent of projects are expected to be completed by March 31, 2011, some have experienced delays for a variety of reasons. The one-time extension is expected to allow sufficient time for virtually all the remaining projects to be completed, at no additional cost to the Federal Government.

In order to qualify for this extension, work must have begun on the project and it must have incurred eligible costs before March 31, 2011.  The extension applies to projects funded under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, the Building Canada Fund Communities Component Top-Up, the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program or the Knowledge Infrastructure Program. Expense claims must be submitted by April 30, 2011.

Since the Economic Action Plan went forward in July 2009, more than 420,000 net new jobs have been created across Canada and about 23,000 projects are underway or completed.  The Government has provided $16 billion to modernize public infrastructure, including roads, bridges, water, parks, transit and recreational facilities.