I'm very pleased to be here again, particularly in the presence of the member for Eglinton–Lawrence.
I'm also joined, as you've said, Mr. Chair, by key members of the Transport Canada and Infrastructure Canada team. They've done an outstanding job in this past year in dealing with our infrastructure stimulus. I want to congratulate them and all their officials, who have done a fantastic job.
Our meeting today is to discuss the 2009-10 estimates, part (B). Before I address specific line items, I'd like to thank the members for their cooperation and ongoing work on behalf of Canadians. I appreciate the work the committee has done over this past year. I especially want to highlight discussions that took place this fall among committee members with respect to Bill C-37, An Act to amend the National Capital Act and other Acts.
As I noted in my last appearance before the committee, our government is committed to creating jobs, stimulating the economy, and supporting Canadian families through Canada's economic action plan. Earlier this year when I was before this committee, I explained how these actions are contributing to a cleaner environment, safer roads, and more prosperous and livable communities. Through these actions, Canada will emerge from this recession sooner than other countries and stronger than ever.
While we are seeing signs of recovery here in Canada, it's important that we continue our course of action and our ongoing work, much of which is outlined in these supplementary estimates. I'd like to highlight a few of the line items of note.
Transport Canada is requesting a net increase of $27 million to the 2009-10 main estimates. This funding is for vital programs and policies that will enhance safety and security, ensure environmental protection, improve Canada's infrastructure, and much more.
For example, we're requesting $10.3 million to strengthen Canada's air cargo security system. This money was announced in budget 2009. We plan to use this to introduce new screening technologies and processes, which will help make air transport safer and more secure. Not only will it improve security and keep Canadians safe, it will help businesses to transport goods more efficiently, which gives us an economic advantage.
Another important project Transport Canada has been working on is the redecking of the Honoré-Mercier bridge in Montreal. I am sure that my colleagues in the Bloc Québécois are very familiar with this major project. It is nothing less than the largest redecking project in Canadian history. The project is progressing well. Today, I’m requesting a re-profiling of funds to continue this important work.
We are requesting $3.3 million under the gateways and border crossings fund for the Blue Water and Peace bridges. These are key elements in the government's efforts to enhance our gateways and corridors.
Turning now to infrastructure, at no other time since the Second World War have investments in Canada's infrastructure been more important or, I believe, more significant. Guided by Canada's economic action plan, almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding is now available and is funding projects primarily over the next two years. Our ongoing commitment is reflected once again here in the supplementary estimates.
Infrastructure Canada is seeking $547.3 million to support contributions to infrastructure projects across Canada and to manage its progress. This request will address both new and ongoing funding requirements. For ongoing items, the funds requested are for projects under our existing funds, such as the building Canada fund. We work in partnership with the provinces, territories, and municipalities to match our funds, and our funding is being provided as projects get built—in other words, funding flows in accordance with our partners' construction schedules. As big projects across the country come to life, funds flow.
You will note the $547.3 million in additional funds requested. Infrastructure Canada is seeking $9.3 million in operating expenditures. This funding will go towards implementing new programs announced in the action plan and will continue to ensure appropriate resources are invested for oversight and management of existing funds.
Honourable members, you've seen in your own backyards that we are making good progress on the commitments under Canada's economic action plan. Just 10 months into our two-year plan, our government has already committed 97% of the economic action plan. This adds up to 12,000 projects across the country, 8,000 of which have already begun.
From the $4-billion infrastructure stimulus fund alone, we've committed more than $3.6 billion. We've announced $2.85 billion of federal spending on 96 major projects across Canada, and under the communities component, $1.375 billion in federal dollars has been announced for 1,255 projects.
I'll now ask my colleague, Rob Merrifield, to say a few words.
