TORONTO: The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing more than $115.1 million to protect the health, and well-being of residents in 30 municipalities across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).
Details were provided by Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Communities and Infrastructure; and Stephen Crawford, Parliamentary Assistant to Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure and Member of Provincial Parliament for Oakville, on behalf of Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure.
Communities across Canada are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and need immediate assistance to ensure their public infrastructure is safe and reliable.
That is why both orders of government have been taking decisive action to support families, businesses and communities, and continue to look ahead to see what more can be done in these unprecedented times.
The Government of Canada is investing over $92.1 million in municipalities through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Ontario is contributing more than $23 million.
The majority of funding will support the rehabilitation of active transit infrastructure, the development of modern and accessible recreational options, and upgrades and replacement of equipment in health and emergency facilities in communities across the GTHA.
Additional investments will support increased options for active transportation, and the renovation of municipal buildings, community centres and cultural facilities. These improvements will provide safe and inclusive spaces for residents across the GTHA.
The COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream, implemented in response to the pandemic, allows the Government of Canada to invest up to 80% of eligible costs for projects in provinces, and up to 100% for projects in territories and Indigenous communities. The Ontario government will invest 20% of the eligible costs for projects across the province.
• Through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities. Ontario is investing $10.2 billion in this program.
• The COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream funding stream guarantees a minimum of $100,000 to each of the province’s 444 municipalities. Additional funding has been allocated to municipalities based on a variety of factors, including the value of infrastructure and median household income in each municipality.
• Through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream, over $3 billion is available to provide provinces and territories with added flexibility to fund quick-start, short term projects.
• The Government of Canada has invested over $13.9 billion in more than 3,200 infrastructure projects across Ontario under the Investing in Canada Plan. Catherine McKenna said: “Across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area we’re investing over $92 million – 80 cents on every dollar to support municipalities with better ventilation in building such a as shelters, improved accessibility, sidewalk upgrades and new bike lanes.” Stephen Crawford added: “We are supporting vital infrastructure in places like Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Mississauga, and Durham. The province will continue to fund important projects that strengthen Ontario’s towns and cities.”