Manitoba will move forward with eighteen projects thanks to the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program, a major job-creating investment from Canada's Economic Action Plan.

Today, the Honourable Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced federal funding for projects in communities across Manitoba that will create jobs for the province.

"I am proud to see many communities across Manitoba benefit from this investment under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program," said Minister Toews. "This funding will ensure our local community centres and parks receive improvements that will allow residents to enjoy them today and well into the future."

Funding of $1,172,822 is provided through the RInC program as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan.

The projects announced today are located in cities and rural communities. They range in scope from improvements to community centre hockey and curling rinks, to expansion of a walking trail, to construction of an oval running track, to making an arena wheelchair accessible.

The RInC program will invest $500 million in recreational facilities across Canada over a two-year period. It is providing a temporary economic stimulus that is helping reduce the impacts of the global recession while renewing, upgrading and expanding recreational infrastructure in Canadian communities. A total of almost $153 million in RInC funding will be invested across the four western provinces.

Visit the RInC program in the West, or Canada's Economic Action Plan for more information.

Note: This web version of the news release was amended after its release December 4th, to correct total program funding delivered by WD Canada across the four western provinces.

For more information, contact:

Gabriela Klimes
Communications, Winnipeg
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone:  204 983-6243