NICKEL BELT-SUDBURY—Canadians everywhere are feeling the impact of COVID-19, on their families, their livelihoods and their way of life. Together, the governments of Canada and Ontario are working to reduce the impact of the pandemic, ensure health and safety, rebuild businesses, and promote job creation, growth and investment.

Today, Marc G. Serré, MP for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary for Natural Resources, and Paul Lefebvre, MP for Sudbury, announced joint funding to improve air circulation, ventilation, HVAC and sprinkler systems for local long-term care facilities. Federal funding will be provided in the amount of $1,439,869 to St. Joseph's Villa of Sudbury and $135,483 to St. Joseph's Health Centre in Sudbury and St. Gabriel’s Villa in Chelmsford.

The Government of Canada is investing more than $1.6 million towards these projects through the COVID-19 Resilience Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Ontario is contributing $390,000 to the projects.

These local projects are among 95 across Ontario announced today the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Deb Schulte, Federal Minister of Seniors; the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure; and the Honourable Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Ontario’s Minister of Long-Term Care. Total investment in these projects is $99.4 million to improve long-term care homes across Ontario.

The majority of funding will make important upgrades and improvements to HVAC systems as well as sprinkler and ventilation systems in long-term care homes across Ontario. All residents living in long-term care facilities deserve to live in safe, modern spaces, and these investments will improve the safety of these homes for both residents and long-term care workers.

The COVID-19 stream, implemented in response to the pandemic, allows Government of Canada to invest up to 80% in projects that support provinces and up to 100% in projects that support territories and Indigenous communities in their response to the pandemic.

Quotes

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on Canada’s most vulnerable populations. As we continue to battle this crisis, upgrading ventilation systems to ensure cleaner air in Ontario’s long-term care homes will be critical to the health and safety of residents and the people that care for them. The Government of Canada is investing 80 cents on every dollar invested in these important projects across the province. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities.” - The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“The upgrades we are announcing today build strong communities and protect the of our front-line workers, our parents, and our grandparents. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities. In Ontario, we’ve invested over $8.3 billion through our infrastructure plan in more than 2880 projects and counting.” - Paul Lefebvre, Member of Parliament for Sudbury

“Clean air and improved ventilation is critical for safe, comfortable and modern living spaces in long-term care homes. The health of residents, caregivers, volunteers and staff is paramount; this funding will offer further protection in long-term care as we move through the pandemic. Congratulations to St. Gabriel's Villa, St. Joseph's Villa and St. Joseph’s Health Centre for their successful proposals, your teams have been instrumental in the health and wellbeing of the residents you care for.” -  Marc G. Serré, MP for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources

“On behalf of our residents and staff I am truly grateful to the provincial and federal government for recognizing the needs of our frail seniors during these very challenging times.  This brings us closer to our $4.2M dollar fundraising goal in order to complete all the necessary upgrades and repairs to our facilities to ensure the ongoing safety of our residents.” - Jo-Anne Palkovits, president and CEO of St. Joseph’s Health Centre

Quick facts

• To support Canadians and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, a COVID-19 Resilience 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.
• Through the COVID-19 Resilience Stream, over $3 billion is available to provide provinces and territories with added flexibility to fund quick-start, short term projects
• Under the Investing in Canada Plan, the federal government 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.
• Since November of 2015, the Government of Canada has invested more than $8.3 billion in over

Associated links

Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario

https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-on-eng.html

Investing in Canada Plan Project Map

http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html

Ontario Builds Project Map: https://www.ontario.ca/page/building-ontario

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