Infrastructure Works program supports SUCCESS Social Service Centre

[CAWED]

DECEMBER 4, 1998

_INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS PROGRAM SUPPORTS SUCCESS SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRE_

_VANCOUVER, B.C. -- A new social centre for Lower Mainland residents
will provide much needed services to local residents with language and
cultural barriers. _

The _SUCCESS Social Service Centre_ in _Chinatown_ will receive $1.4
million under the _Canada/B.C. Infrastructure Works Program_ towards a
$4.2-million building that provides language and job training,
employment and family counselling, and community services programs to
multicultural clients in _Chinatown, Vancouver West, Vancouver South,
Oak Ridge, Richmond, Burnaby_ and _Coquitlam_.

"The new centre significantly contributes to the local economy and
quality of life of the neighbourhood," said _Vancouver-Kingsway MP
Sophia Leung_, on behalf of _Ron J. Duhamel, Secretary of State for
Western Economic Diversification_ and minister responsible for
implementation of the infrastructure program in Western Canada. "It
benefits everyone by providing a meeting place for local residents,
business owners and government to share and address issues of concern
to the local community and to Canada as a whole."

"This facility will play a key role in supporting and enriching the
multicultural community here in Vancouver," said _Vancouver-Burrard
MLA Tim Stevenson_. "By investing in community projects like the
SUCCESS centre, we are helping to meet the needs of local residents so
that they can contribute to the social and economic well-being of
their community."

"The social service centre will expand and improve social services in
Chinatown," said _SUCCESS executive director Lilian To_. "The new
centre definitely strengthens the competitiveness of local business by
increasing customer traffic and building a positive community image."

_Phase 1 of the Canada/British Columbia Infrastructure Works Program_
funded over 400 projects valued at $675 million and created more than
9,000 jobs.

A top-up to the program was announced in April 1997 and combines
contributions from the federal and provincial governments and local
partners for a total of more than $150 million.

The focus of this additional funding is transportation infrastructure,
with the balance of the funding allocated to the community and
telecommunications projects. The program is coordinated by the
_Ministry of Employment and Investment_ as part of the provincial
government’s three-year plan to create jobs, reduce taxes and cut
red tape.

Federal funding for this initiative was provided for in the February
1997 budget and is therefore built into the existing framework. This
announcement is an example of how the federal government is
prioritizing its spending so that it can better serve Canadians by
making efficient use of their tax dollars.