July 15, 2021
BRANTFORD— The health and well-being of Canadians are top priorities for the governments of Canada and Ontario. Communities across Ontario are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and need assistance to ensure their municipal and community infrastructure is safe and reliable.
That is why both levels 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. This includes a combined investment of $51.2 million to support infrastructure in communities to help protect the health of residents, create jobs, and promote economic recovery.
This investment is being made through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, a cost-shared, application-based infrastructure funding opportunity.
The Government of Canada is investing over $711,140.00 toward these, projects while the Government of Ontario is contributing more than $177,785.00.
Funding will support the development of modern and accessible recreational spaces, and the replacement of equipment in health and emergency facilities. Additional investments will support increased options for active transportation, and the renovation of municipal buildings and community centres to provide safe and welcoming spaces for residents across the City of Brantford and the County of Brant. These investments will provide thousands of residents with access to modern local infrastructure where they can safely maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.
The City of Brantford will receive funds for the Powerline Road Trail Reconstruction: The project will repave a municipal trail and install signage and benches in Brantford, Ontario. The City will receive funding for the Wayne Gretzky Parkway Trail Reconstruction: The project will repave part of the Wayne Gretzky Parkway Trail in Brantford, Ontario with other upgrades including the addition of signs, benches, and garbage cans, and the planting of trees.
The County of Brant will receive funds for the Burford Administration Building Retrofits: The project will retrofit and upgrade an administrative building. The work will involve upgrading the front counter and reception area, adding automatic doors and repurposing unused spaces to provide an additional work area for staff. The County will also receive funds for HVAC upgrades for seven County of Brant facilities and buildings.
Quotes
“The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all Canadians and disproportionately certain segments. As we work to finish the fight against COVID-19, we will ensure residents across Southwestern, Midwestern and Central Ontario have access to safe and inclusive municipal infrastructure. By investing 80 cents on every dollar toward the important projects initiated by municipalities, the Government of Canada is responding to the immediate pressures and concerns of communities as a result of the pandemic. As we build back even better and consciously more inclusive, Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds stronger, safer, and more resilient communities.”
– The Honourable Bardish Chagger
Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
“It is with gratitude and a strong sense of partnership that we continue to work with the Federal Government to bring announcements such as this this to Brantford-Brant. It is municipal projects such as this that benefit people most directly and I continue to work closely with both Mayor Bailey and Mayor Davis to engage the federal government and advocate with Ontario to support local initiatives”.
– Dr. Will Bouma, Member of Provincial Parliament, Brantford-Brant
“The City of Brantford has a strong tradition and long history of providing public recreation, sport and cultural opportunities to residents and visitors in a variety of spaces that encourage healthy lifestyles and make neighbourhoods more vibrant. We are grateful to our federal and provincial partners for this funding that will be invested in repaving both the Powerline Road and Wayne Gretzky Parkway trails in Brantford as well as tree planting and required upgrades to signs, benches and waste bins – all of which help beautify our city and improve residents’ quality of life.
– Mayor Kevin Davis, City of Brantford
“The Federal and Provincial governments have provided the County of Brant with $234,000 of funding to assist with a variety of improvements. Part of the funding will be used to address upgrades at the Burford Administration Building including improving customer service areas and accessibility. As well, the funding will allow us to install new HVAC systems in seven municipal buildings. The purpose of this work is to improve energy efficiency, which will also result in cost savings to the municipality, and create healthier buildings by improving air quality, heating and ventilation. The contributions from both the federal and provincial governments allow these important projects to proceed and assists the municipality to maintain a lower tax rate for citizens while continually working to provide and improve customer-centered services.”
– Mayor David Bailey, County of Brant
Quick facts
- 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 over $10.2 billion under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to improve public transit; community, culture and recreation; green, and rural and northern community and other priority infrastructure.
- To support Canadians and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, a COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure stream has been added to the over $33-billion Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to help fund pandemic-resilient infrastructure. Existing program streams have also been adapted to include more eligible project categories.
- The new COVID-19 Resilience stream will provide up to $1.05 billion in combined federal-provincial funding for infrastructure projects across Ontario, including: up to $700 million for education-related projects; an allocation-based program that will deliver up to $250 million to municipalities to address critical local infrastructure needs and; up to $100 million for long-term care projects. Part of the local government infrastructure funding includes a minimum of $6.5 million in shared federal-provincial funding for Indigenous and off-reserve education projects.
Backgrounder
Associated links
Investing in Canada Plan Project Map
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map
Ontario Builds Project Map
https://www.ontario.ca/page/building-ontario
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For more information, contact MPP Will Bouma at 519-759-0361 or will.bouma@pc.ola.org