$1.9 Billion Plan to Create, Maintain 20,000 Jobs

Premier's Office

Published March 11, 2009

Nova Scotia's new $1.9-billion infrastructure plan will create or maintain about 20,000 jobs. The plan was announced in Halifax Wednesday, March 11th.

Investment and job-creation initiatives in the Building for Growth plan will be matched with strategic priorities, including:

energy conservation; roads, bridges and highways; schools and information technology; safe, healthy communities; and tourism, culture and heritage.

The plan's four objectives are to create and maintain jobs, invest in strategic priorities, maintain fiscal stability, and help people get jobs through a $24-million training fund, regional information sessions, and a new website, Buildingfornovascotia.ca.

Quotes

“Building for Growth is designed to get people working and keep our economy growing. Beyond the immediate benefit of jobs, we have strategically selected projects that will contribute to the long-term prosperity of our province, and improve the quality of life for Nova Scotians.” Premier Rodney MacDonald

“We will continue to work with businesses, other levels of government, and individuals, to keep Nova Scotians working and our economy on track.” Premier Rodney MacDonald

“We are very concerned about a slow down in private-sector investment at a time when the industry has been taking on apprentices and beginning to address our long-term demographic challenge.” Carol McCulloch, president, Construction Association of Nova Scotia

“We believe investment that creates jobs around the province, as well as in a range of construction from roads and bridges to buildings and energy consumption, is appropriate and welcomed by the industry at this critical time.” Carol McCulloch

“We have the people, the skills and the capacity to do our part in this larger effort.” Grant Feltmate, executive director, Nova Scotia Road Builders Association

Quick Facts

The plan will increase household income by $900 million, and grow the economy by 3.7 per cent.
The $1.9-billion plan in one of the largest infrastructure programs in the province's history. This will create or maintain about 20,000 direct jobs, leading to more spending and indirect jobs in everything from restaurants to retail.
Projects will be spread out over three years so workers can be hired and benefits felt provincewide.
Increasing capital spending will be limited to three years, with the debt being as affordable for the province in 2011-12 as it is today.
Economists calculate debt affordability based on the size of debt compared with the size of the economy. Since 2001-02, the province has improved this ratio from 46.8 per cent to 36.7 per cent. By 2011-12, this ratio is projected to be at or below 36.7 per cent, even after the borrowing.