Hon. Monte BOB BAILEY, MPP Sarnia-Lambton McNaughton, MPP Lambton-Kent-Middlesex Legislative Assembly of

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 7, 2019

Federal Government Delivers $6 Million for Sarnia-Lambton Oversized Load Corridor Funding Comes After Years of Advocacy from area MPPs Bailey, McNaughton

SARNIA – After years of lobbying from local municipal, provincial and federal representatives in Sarnia-Lambton, the Federal Government has announced a $6 million contribution to the Oversized Load Corridor project that will remove trade barriers and boost the local economy.

Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey, and Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP, Hon. Monte McNaughton, were pleased to be at Sarnia Harbour this morning alongside local MP Marilyn Gladu for federal Transportation Minister Marc Garneau’s funding announcement.

“This is fantastic news for Sarnia-Lambton,” McNaughton said. “After years of inability to move oversized loads without costly disruptions to local residents and businesses, I’m happy to finally see this funding be announced.”

“I am very excited for this announcement,” added Bailey. “I’ve been working with the Oversized Load Corridor project group to get to this day for at least the last five years. With Minister McNaughton’s help, we’re finally able to see this project fully funded.”

As Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure, McNaughton worked to strengthen the business case for the project. In January, after calls for proposals were issued for the National Trade Corridors Fund, McNaughton directed Ministry staff to provide strategic advice to the City of Sarnia to bolster their application.

McNaughton and Bailey also advocated for the project and spoke with local officials on numerous occasions, including a delegation meeting at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference.

The City of Sarnia, County of Lambton, Township of St. Clair and the Sarnia-Lambton Industrial Alliance secured $6 million for the project. The remaining half of funding will come from the NTCF.

“The Oversized Load Corridor creates a dedicated link in Sarnia-Lambton for our fabrication shops to reach global markets,” said Bailey. “This presents a real opportunity for our local businesses to generate good paying jobs and an economic boost.”

Work on the project is expected to begin this year.

“Our lobbying did not fall on deaf ears. When the federal government listens to their provincial counterparts, we can accomplish quite a deal for the people of Ontario. I’m always proud to stand up for Southwestern Ontario,” McNaughton said.

QUICK FACTS

▪ The project criteria for the National Trade Corridors Fund is to diversify and increase Canada’s trade to overseas market and alleviate bottlenecks that constrain Canadian businesses from accessing the global markets.

▪ This project’s previous application for federal funding was rejected in April 2018.

- 30 -

FOR MORE INFORMATION

John Fraser Constituency Assistant, MPP Monte McNaughton (519) 245-8696

Anthony Rizzetto Executive Assistant, MPP Bob Bailey (519) 337-0051