Pictured above: Bill Thompson, Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls, Mayor, Greg Rickford, MP-Kenora, Daniel Kelly, Acting Chief Ojibways of Onigaming, Lorraine Major, Chief Northwest Angle #37

SIOUX NARROWS, ON, June 27, 2009 — The Municipality of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls and surrounding first nations will benefit from joint federal and provincial investments for several projects under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program in Ontario (RInC Ontario) and Recreation Ontario (Ontario REC).

Projects for this  area include:

MP Greg Rickford was pleased to announce that these projects are among a total of 35 projects in communities in the riding which were approved. The total Federal portion of Recreational Infrastructure Funding for the Kenora Riding is over $8.2 Million. Yesterday Greg also made announcements in Sioux Lookout and Kenora, including both municipalities and first nation communities. Next week other announcements will be made for the Dryden and Ignace areas.

“We are pleased to work with our provincial partners to deliver funding that will create employment and make a difference in the lives of residents throughout northern Ontario,” said Rickford. “These projects will bring communities together to get fit and have fun, as well as create local jobs, something this government is committed to doing.”

“I am extremely pleased that both senior levels are continuing to work together by providing significant resources for upgrades and additions to our Northern recreational facilities," said Michael Gravelle, MPP for Thunder Bay-Superior North. "These projects will not only create jobs, but will have positive long-term social and physical implications throughout the region."

These projects are part of 758 projects announced today by Minister of State (Science and Technology) Gary Goodyear, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, and Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Leona Dombrowsky, on behalf of George Smitherman, Ontario Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, worth a total joint federal and provincial investment of more than $380 Million.

These programs were designed to provide a timely, targeted stimulus to the economy through investments that will spur construction activity related to existing recreational infrastructure. Beyond economic stimulus and job creation, renewing, rehabilitating and modernizing our recreational infrastructure has the additional benefit of encouraging higher levels of participation in physical activity and community building.

Projects were selected on the basis of merit and construction readiness.

A complete list of approved projects will be available on July 6, 2009, at www.rinc-on.ca.