Saskatoon, January 22, 2013
2013-008

On behalf of the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Agriculture Minister and Regional Minister for Saskatchewan, Gerry Ritz, today announced the Harper Government's investment in a public-private partnership (P3) to support the construction of a transit facility and permanent snow storage decontamination facility as part of the Civic Operations Centre for the City of Saskatoon. Minister Ritz was joined at the event by Saskatoon Mayor Donald Atchison.

The Harper Government will contribute up to $42.9 million through the P3 Canada Fund towards the project. This investment will help the City of Saskatoon relocate its transit operations to a new state-of-the-art facility and construct the first permanent snow storage decontamination facility. The new site, located in Saskatoon's southwest quadrant, will provide direct access to the new Circle Drive South Bridge and road system, which will allow the City to move equipment, materials and vehicles more quickly around the city.

"Our Government is encouraged to see that the P3 model is being adopted by municipalities like Saskatoon as an innovative and cost-effective solution to improving local infrastructure services," said Minister Ritz. "We believe this project will serve as a model for other municipalities also considering P3s to deliver their infrastructure commitments."

"The Civic Operations Centre is yet another example of how the City of Saskatoon is preparing for growth," said Mayor Atchison. "In step with the Strategic Plan, we are developing new funding strategies to make investments today with tomorrow's needs in mind. Saskatoon is the first city in the province to use a P3. We continue to be leaders in finding innovative approaches to invest in our assets while managing the City in a smart and financially sustainable way."

Through a competitive bidding process, a private sector proponent will be selected to design, build, finance and maintain both facilities at the Civic Operations Centre, and will operate the snow storage facility over a 25-year period. At all times, the City retains full ownership of both facilities. By entering into a long-term P3 agreement, the City will shift greater risks to the private sector over the lifecycle of the project. This model provides better cost certainty and allows the City to harness the expertise and innovation of the private sector. In 25 years, the proponent will hand back the facilities at which point they become the City's full responsibility for operations, maintenance and repairs.

The P3 Canada Fund is a merit-based program with the objective of supporting P3 infrastructure projects that achieve value for Canadians, develop the Canadian P3 market and generate significant public benefits. PPP Canada was established by the Government of Canada to improve the delivery of public infrastructure by achieving better value, timeliness and accountability to taxpayers, through public-private partnerships.

For more information on PPP Canada and the Government of Canada's P3 Canada Fund investments, visit the PPP Canada website.

For further information, media may contact:

Mary Ann Dewey-Plante
Director of Strategic Communications
Office of the Minister of Finance
613-996-7861

Jack Aubry
Media Relations
Department of Finance
613-996-8080

Murray Totland
City Manager
City of Saskatoon
306-975-3209

PPP Canada Media Inquiries: media@p3canada.ca or
613-947-9480/1-877-947-9480

Jeffrey English
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture
613-773-1059

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