The minister responsible for ACOA, Peter MacKay, visited P.E.I. Tuesday, making cross-province spending announcements worth millions of dollars.

'Create an entranceway to our city, so you know when you arrive that you're arriving at some place special'- Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee

Charlottetown was the biggest beneficiary of federal money, starting with an entirely new program, the Confederation Birthplace Initiative, which will be administered by ACOA. The program will be worth about $2 million in its first phase, but there is no final limit on what the initiative will be worth.

Mayor Clifford Lee says the city and other organizations will be able to apply for money to help make Charlottetown unique.

"Some of the things I see taking place here are a beautification program for the downtown core area, main entrances to our city to create an entranceway to our city, so you know when you arrive that you're arriving at some place special," said Lee.

"There's been talk for years about creating a ceremonial roof in the Charlottetown Airport [as you head] into Charlottetown. That's another project that is now possible to do."

Lee said an advisory committee will be set up to review applications for funding. The money could be spent anywhere in the city.

Peter MacKay announces funding for a new cruise ship arrival centre.
(CBC)

MacKay made further announcements from a podium set up in a former potato warehouse on the Charlottetown waterfront. ACOA is contributing $2 million for renovations to convert the space into a cruise ship arrival and multi-purpose events centre.

Ottawa is also expected to provide $4.5 million towards $22 million in upgrades to the Charlottetown wharf and harbour.

Minister on tour

MacKay and Premier Pat Binns started the minister's visit with a tour of the results of previously announced spending. They had a look around a 30,000 square-foot office building under construction in Stratford. ACOA contributed $3.4 million to the construction of the $4.3-million building. The main tenant will be software developer CGI Canada, a firm expected to bring more than 300 jobs to the Island.

Dredging at the Charlottetown wharf is part of $22 million in harbour improvements. ACOA is paying $4.5 million of that cost.
(CBC)

Beyond Charlottetown, MacKay announced $12 million in municipal infrastructure funding for 40 projects in Island communities, including $3.8 million for a wellness centre in Montague. Borden-Carleton will get $1.4 million for a sewage treatment plant.

Smaller projects include park upgrades, community hall improvements and water and sewer upgrades.

MacKay defends cuts

While on the Island, MacKay answered questions about programs the federal government is cutting.

'We have to see that the money actually arrives where it's needed, and not into some bureaucracy.'- Peter MacKay

Ottawa announced a billion dollars in cost-saving measures on Sept. 25, measures which affected literacy funding, among other things. 

MacKay said the government was focusing on trimming administrative waste and fiscal mismanagement, and that actual programs and services to those who need it most will not be affected. He expects the province will help make that happen.

"We are making changes to the administrative costs — that is money that was being put into advocacy and administration — as opposed to actual program delivery," said MacKay.

"We're committed to working with the provincial government to see that the actual programs continue, but not what we deem to have been some of the waste around the programs themselves.

"We have to see that the money actually arrives where it's needed, and not into some bureaucracy, and not into some program that is just paying for a salary for some person to sit at a desk."

MacKay said the federal government wants to ensure it has the money to pay for programs that are important to Canadians, such as more community policing or the $100 a month child-care allowance for people with young children.