2009 has been a difficult year for both the Canadian and the global economies. While we have weathered the recession better than most countries, many of the issues confronted in the past year will continue to present challenges to us in 2010.
That is why it is vitally important that we continue with the implementation of the Economic Action Plan that we introduced last January. The Plan has been making important investments in our community in order to stimulate economic activity through the downturn, and we must not let ourselves become complacent as conditions improve. 2010 is the second half of this two-year initiative.
These investments in our community have included the upgrading of downtown Leduc watermains, continued work on the Nisku Spine Road, renovations to the Leduc Recreation Centre, and an expansion of the Leduc Kinsmen outdoor rink. I am pleased to announce that the Nisku Recreation Centre also received federal support in December through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RINC) program.
The project, supported by a $200,000 contribution from the RINC program, will upgrade and renovate a number of the Nisku Recreation Centre's features, and includes the installation of new doors and windows and significant repairs to the roof of the Centre. Three existing baseball diamonds will also be renewed, and an additional diamond will be created to accommodate increased community demand for recreational space.
As Budget 2010 is prepared for presentation to the House of Commons on March 4th, our government is consulting widely with Canadian citizens, businesses, charities, and other organizations to listen to their concerns and ideas. I welcome all of your suggestions on how we can sustain Canada's economic recovery, as well as on any other topic you may wish to discuss. I would also encourage you to share your suggestions with the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, through the Department of Finance's online public consultations. To make a submission to the Minister, please visit:
http://www.fin.gc.ca/prebudget-prebudgetaire/1-eng.asp.
Throughout December and January I have been meeting with many constituents in our riding to hear their concerns, as well as with municipal officials to discuss priorities for the year ahead. I also had the opportunity to host Edmonton-Leduc residents at an open house in December, and I thank everyone who attended for taking a moment out of the busy holiday season to drop by.
I look forward to attending the Olympic Torch's stop in Leduc on January 15th, and I hope to see you there. As always, do not hesitate to contact me in the meantime.
Best wishes for a happy and prosperous 2010!
James Rajotte, MP Edmonton-Leduc