OTTAWA: Communities across Canada are on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic and need immediate assistance to ensure their public infrastructure is safe and reliable.
That is why the governments of Canada and Ontario are investing more than $3.8 million to improve municipal and community infrastructure in the City of Ottawa.
Mona Fortier, Federal Minister of Middle-Class Prosperity, Associate Minister of Finance, and Member of Parliament for Ottawa—Vanier, on behalf of Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; Jeremy Roberts, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services and Member of Provincial Parliament for Ottawa WestNepean, on behalf Kinga Surma, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure; Jim Watson, Mayor of the City of Ottawa; and Tim Tierney, Ward Councillor for Beacon Hill—Cyrville, announced the funding for 16 projects across the Ottawa.
The Government of Canada is investing over $3.1 million through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure plan. The Government of Ontario is contributing more than $779,000. The majority of funding will support the rehabilitation of municipal buildings, community centres and arenas across the city.
Among the projects funded is the expansion of the Beacon Hill North Community Centre. The centre will see the addition of a new multi-purpose room, a full-sized kitchen, universal washrooms, and new windows to allow for more natural light.
These improvements will provide residents with a more modern and comfortable environment to participate in social and recreational community events. This funding is an example of the decisive action taken by both levels of government to support families, businesses and communities.
The COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream, implemented in response to the pandemic, allows the Government of Canada to invest up to 80 per cent of eligible costs for projects in provinces, and up to 100 per cent for projects in territories and Indigenous communities.
• The Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, community, culture and recreation, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities. Ontario is investing $10.2 billion in this program.
• 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.
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said: “These priority projects will promote the health and safety of our residents and the environmental sustainability of important City facilities while stimulating our economic rebound and creating jobs in Ottawa. “I am very thankful for this support from the federal and provincial governments, which will help us meet the future service needs of our community and our residents.”