Discussions

Having been a Brandon born and raised girl, I am again upset at the status that Brandon (our Province's second largest City) receives as compared to Winnipeg (as much as I do like the City of Wpg.). I guess we better get cracking on the Bake Sales and Silent Auctions to be sure our historical buildings don't get razed and forgotten.  
 
We have but one lone piece of Brandon history in the Display #2 Building at the Keystone Centre. This is all historically we have that remains of the grounds at the Keystone Centre. The funding for restoration was denied by the Feds. I realize there is only so much money and yes, Highway infrastructure needs to be repaired, and Brandon's "rotting" old building may not be of credence to others living outside of our City, but this is intregal to our City with it's historical significance. I am so tired of historic buildings in the City being bulldozed because nobody cares.  
 
 
This refers to the Stimulus Package that the Provincial Ex was denied from the Feds....And, after this, take a look at some of the funding that Wpg. receives:  
 
INFRASTRUCTURE STIMULUS IN MANITOBA:  
"Following discussion with the province, the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is already at work in Manitoba. On May 22, 2009, Canada and Manitoba announced a joint investment of $159 million for up to 24 provincial and community infrastructure projects that will create jobs and help build stronger communities. Projects include important investments in provincial highway, parks and trails, and cultural infrastructure, as well as in municipal and not-for-profit sector assets." (I guess we were not on top of the list).  
 
Denied again.  
 
Examples of the "Province of Winnipeg"?  
 
*2005 The governments of Canada and Manitoba today announced a $4.5-million investment for a new Transcona Recreation Park to be located in the South Transcona area of Winnipeg. *Announced by a local MP here in Brandon  
 
*2009 Fisheries and Oceans Canada Federal Government Funding (Winnipeg, Mb.)  
$690,000 in 2009-2010 and $370,000 in 2010-2011.  
 
*April 2009 136.7 Million  
Developing Manitoba's inland port location - Winnipeg. Federal Government.  
A portion of the $175 million that Canada is providing to Manitoba under the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund will be allocated to this initiative, which has a total eligible cost of $136.7 million.  
 
$33.35 Million (Winnipeg)  
The initial phases of the CentrePort Canada initiative also received federal funding, including the twinning of Inkster Boulevard ($33.25 million federal contribution).  
 
* July 2005 2.1 Million  
$2.1 MILLION TO REDEVELOP MILLENNIUM LIBRARY PARK Winnipeg  
 
*July 26, 2005 2.1 Million  
Winnipeg's downtown revitalization received another boost with today's announcement of funding for Phase II of the Centennial Library's Millennium Project, a new park south of the library's spectacular new façade. The park will be created thanks to a $2.1 million investment from the Canada-Manitoba Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF).  
 
*May 2009 (Winnipeg)  
The two initiatives capped a hectic week of infrastructure and job-creation announcements that saw Ottawa commit $20 million to the University of Manitoba, including $15 million for an art research technology laboratory: $18 million towards a new science college at the University of Winnipeg: and $9.5 million for Red River College's refurbishment of the Union Bank Tower on Main Street.  
 
*November 2005 (Winnipeg)  
Winnipeg's Aboriginal community will benefit from $1,789,424 in funding under the Winnipeg Partnership Agreement (WPA). This investment will support 19 projects that focus on Aboriginal renewal, education and skills development.  
 
*November 2007 (Winnipeg)  
Heated Transit Shelters in the the Heart of the Graham Mall Transit Corridor  
 
As part of its recently launched $33 billion "Building Canada" infrastructure plan, the Canadian Government extended Gas Tax funding by an additional $2 billion per year nationally, from 2011 to 2014. Gas Tax funding is available to local governments for projects that contribute to environmental sustainability, and in particular, infrastructure projects that lead to cleaner air, cleaner water or the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.  
 
The Government of Canada is also providing $32.6 million to Manitoba through the Public Transit Capital Trust for public transit projects that increase capacity, reduce congestion, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.  
 
*Jan 2004 (Headlingley)  
The Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure Program is contributing to the preservation of Manitoba's heritage through $300,000 in funding for the construction of the Headlingley Heritage Center. The center will feature a $950,000 collection of artifacts from the petroleum and service station industries dating back to the beginning of the automobile era. Through this collection, the center will showcase the role that petroleum producers and their products and services have played in the economy and culture of local communities.  
 
*April 2009 (Winnipeg)  
The federal government is putting nearly $4 million into improving Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site.  
 
*May 2009 (Winnipeg)  
Surging Conservatives  
There was money for an expanded Red River Floodway, funding for the Canadian Museum of Human Rights, and a $125-million expansion of the Winnipeg-based Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health, home to the National Microbiology Laboratories and headquarters of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).  
 
* Federal Funding Announcement (Winnipeg)  
Ten local arts organizations were recipients of federal funding, announced at a special news event at The Forks, May 1st. Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, Manitoba Theatre Centre, Contemporary Dancers, Plug In Gallery, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, The Winnipeg Folk Festival, Sarasavati Dramatic Theatre, Shakespeare In the Ruins and Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra all received more than $1.3 million provided through the Endowment Incentives component of the Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability program. The groups’ endowments are held at The Winnipeg Foundation.  
 
 
 
 
I am quitting now. No need to go on, yet I haven't even scratched the surface. This is just federal funding, never mind Provincial Funding and I do realize we get some of the share, but really, we are a vital and important part of this Province.  
 
I have felt and will always feel that the "Province of Winnipeg" will always undershadow the 2nd largest City of Manitoba, Brandon, and the gap just keeps getting larger and larger.  
 
Your thoughts?