SPEAKING NOTES

Town of Lunenburg Funding Announcement

For Lunenburg Academy

Gerald Keddy
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture, to the Minister of
National Revenue and for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and
Member of Parliament for South Shore-St. Margarets, on behalf of the
Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities
Agency)

Thursday, February 12, 2015

10:30 a.m.
Lunenburg Academy
97-101 Kaulbach Street
Lunenburg, NS

Check against delivery

Thank you, Mr. Burke.

(Scott Burke, Development Coordinator,Town of Lunenburg)

Good morning/afternoon:
Mayor (Rachel) Bailey; (Town of Lunenburg)
Ladies and gentlemen.

I am pleased to join you here today, as we gather to announce a

new project that supports the continued growth of this beautiful
town, and the further enhancement of this iconic building. The
word iconic is perhaps overused today, but in terms of this
building, its a perfect fit.

The same word of course could apply to Lunenburg as a whole.

Im always impressed by the communitys vision--the commitment

to economic growth pursued hand-in-hand with making the most of
its well-deserved designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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Authentic beautyburnished by historyis everywhere in this

town. This very building was the first structure in Lunenburg to be
recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada.

To continue to maximize our economic success, we need smart,

forward-thinking leadership, like that of the Town of Lunenburg,
which recognizes the importance of building a strong future from a
proud past.

Our Government is committed to helping businesses and

communities become more innovative, productive and competitive.
One initiative is leveraging new trade opportunities to deliver
economic prosperity for all Canadians.

For example, the Canada-EU Trade Agreement is expected to

inject $12 billion per year into our economy and increase bilateral
trade by 20 percent. Through this agreement and others like it, our
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Government is helping to boost exports for companies like Terra

Beata Cranberries of Heckmans Island. Minister Moore and I had
the pleasure of visiting David and Evelyn Ernst over at Terra Beata
last year.

So these international trade agreements really do make a

difference for hard-working Nova Scotians right here in Lunenburg.

And that difference comes down to one wordjobs.

The historic European free-trade agreement has the potential to

create 80,000 jobs.

Im sure I dont have to tell you that weve just emerged from the
worst global economic downturn since the Great Depression.

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Most importantly, our country came through these challenging

times with an economy which is the envy of many nations and one
of the best job creation records among the G7.

Our Government will continue to create jobs and make decisions

designed to improve the quality of life for all Canadians while being
fiscally responsible.

We will not borrow from future generations.

Instead, our Government is working steadfastly to create the

conditions for Canadians, their businesses and communities to
chart their own course and succeed.

Its why weve lowered taxes for job-creating businesses and

families by tens of billions of dollars.

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Its why we cut the GST, introduced Tax-Free Savings Accounts,

established income-splitting for our pensioners and created the
Universal Child Care Benefit to allow the real child care experts
Moms and Dads to make the right choices for their families.
All this adds up to money in peoples pocketsnearly three and a
half thousand dollars in fact, every year, for the average Canadian
family!

And, we have accomplished all this, while keeping our budget on

track, and headed back into balance, on schedule, as we
promised!

Today, the overall federal tax burden is at its lowest level in over
half a century.

On top of that, our Government is making unparalleled investments

in infrastructure the most significant in our countrys history
including $5.8 billion in new investments that will continue to build
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and renew infrastructure across the country in areas such as

heritage, First Nations education, defence, borders, research
facilities, harbours, transportation, and search and rescue to create
jobs from coast to coast to coast.

These initiatives will help drive economic growth, ensure the

resilience of our economy and improve quality of life for
Canadians.

Which brings us to why weve gathered here today.

Im very pleased to announce that our Government, through

ACOA, is investing $420,000 in the Town of Lunenburg for the
upgrades of the Lunenburg Academy.

This project will enable the Town to quickly act on an opportunity to

repurpose the Academy.

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The conversion will enable the Town of Lunenburg to enhance

local tourism, offer opportunities to develop a cluster of culturerelated businesses and organizations, and preserve and
strengthen a key piece of community heritage and infrastructure.

The upgrades include converting the interior space into offices for
business and community tenants, a heritage experiential
classroom, and venues for community events.

I am proud to be a part of our Governments efforts to do its part to

help meet the needs of the people across this region and in this
community.

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Todays announcement showcases our governments continued

commitment to work with communities such as the Town of
Lunenburg--a town that celebrates its past by planning for its
future.

We are committed to supporting initiatives that enhance

community infrastructure, that help to build strong, vibrant
communities and that contribute to local economic growth.

Allow me to congratulate all of you whose hard work and

determination have brought us to today.

Thank you.

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