Ross McDermott, LondonTopic.ca

London politicians from all levels of government came together Friday (June 5) to announce the largest single capital infrastructure investment in London's history – $96.9 million – giving the monetary green light to 42 construction projects and paving the way for job creation in the Forest City.

Ongoing construction on Pall Mall Street was the scene for the noon-hour announcement, where London West Conservative MP Ed Holder and London-Fanshawe MPP Khalil Ramal presented a really big cheque to London's Deputy Mayor Tom Gosnell, and praised the support and cooperation of all levels of government and all parties in acquiring the significant multi-government investment for the city.

In addition to Holder, Ramal and Gosnell, MPP Chris Bentley, MPs Joe Preston, Glen Pearson and Irene Mathyssen, and a number of City of London councilors were on hand for the $96.9 million announcement.

"This is all about London politicians working together," Holder told LondonTopic.ca. "From my standpoint it was important that all parties from the federal level were here, and of course provincial representatives and the city folks. I think this makes an important statement because everyone of these members worked hard to get these projects for London."

The announced projects, which include $11.85 million for a Hale and Trafalgar overpass and more than $7 million for London Transit building repairs, to name but two, is aimed at improving transportation efficiency, supporting a healthier environment, enhancing local facilities and services and creating jobs.

Gosnell also praised the political support and cooperation involved in securing the funding, which sees $32,302,995 coming from both the federal and provincial levels respectively, and $30,329,010 from the City of London.

Pointing to the recently announced skyrocketing unemployment level in London of 10.2 per cent, Gosnell said the projects in place will help put a lot of people back to work. "If ever there was a time that we needed to inject capital projects into the economy it's right now."

Ramal said the announced funding was a "great indication" that levels of government, across the political spectrum, can work together.

"Our governments are working together to modernize infrastructure – creating a competitive advantage that attracts business and strengthens our economy today and into the future. The impact of this money will be felt today and for many years to come," Ramal said.

"This is 'show me the money' time," Holder said, referring to the Big City Mayors Conference taking place in British Columbia where mayors from across Canada, including London's Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best, were calling on the government to cough up promised infrastructure money.

Mathyssen noted the funding announcement comes after three years of work, on her part, to deliver more infrastructure funding for the community. The London-Fanshawe MP was extremely vocal on the issue when the large sinkhole opened up at Dundas and Wellington Streets in October of 2007.

"This represents a tremendous investment in our community and will help create jobs and boost our local economy. This partnership between the three levels of government—with representatives from all three political parties—to deliver funding for these projects, I hope, will also demonstrate to Londoners that our area politicians are able to put the good of the community first," Mathyssen said.

In addition to being the largest single capital infrastructure investment in London's history, similar announcements were made in communities across Ontario creating the largest-ever combined infrastructure investment in Canadian history.

All projects that receive funding must be substantially completed by the spring of 2011.