VICTORIA - International Trade Minister Stockwell Day joined provincial Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon on Wednesday to announce 41 of $14-billion worth of infrastructure projects aimed at boosting the B.C. economy.

Ottawa, Victoria and the municipal governments in the 41 communities are each contributing a third of the $175-million cost of the projects, said Day.

He told reporters Ottawa is preparing to roll out the largest commitment of federal infrastructure dollars in Canadian history, valued at at least $12 billion.

Infrastructure project funding is part of the federal government's $40 billion spending plan outlined in the recent budget to stimulate job creation during the downturn in the economy.

"In the long term we're looking at something like a $12-billion fund that's going to cover many different areas, including a $1 billion green innovation fund," he said.

"This is the largest ever commitment of federal infrastructure dollars at the federal level in Canadian history."

The B.C. government is taking the same approach to stimulating economic activity in troubled times.

The recent B.C. budget said the province will invest $14 billion in infrastructure projects over the next three years. Of that money, $2 billion is cost-shared with Ottawa.

Day said splitting the bill three ways has lightened the financial load on governments and helps put people to work.

The projects include upgrading the wastewater treatment plant in Kamloops, B.C., at a cost of $21 million.

Day said the plan he announced Wednesday is one of several joint government initiatives, and the 41 projects in small B.C. communities are ready to start.

"This has to be job-ready. We want to see shovels in the ground," he said. "People working, and those are the type of projects that are going to be funded."

Day said B.C. municipalities are prepared to share costs on the projects even though some opponents say that may result in local tax increases.

"Municipalities, virtually unanimously, are telling us that they are very much looking forward to this money. For them, these are 33-cent dollars," he said.

Falcon, provincial minister of transportation and infrastructure, said the 41 projects will create 1,750 jobs.