NICKEL BELT – GREATER SUDBURY- The health and well-being of Canadians remains a top priority for the Canadian government. Communities across Canada are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and have required immediate assistance to ensure their municipal and community infrastructure is safe and reliable.

That is why governments have continued to take decisive action to support families, businesses and communities, and continue to look ahead to see what more can be done in these unprecedented times. 

Today, Marc G. Serré, MP for Nickel Belt shared how $472,287 in funding supported 5 important local projects. The federal funding for these projects was provided through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. Understanding the reality faced by rural communities and the added expenses the COVID-19 stream allowed the 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.

Dollars were allocated in November 2020 and municipalities were asked to submit applications for critical projects they had on standby. A simplified funding application process ensured that projects could get underway as soon as possible, and accelerated approvals addressed pressing needs in a timely manner. The application deadline was December 21, 2020, for municipalities submitting single projects and January 7, 2021, for multiple projects.

 Quotes

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the wellbeing of all Canadians. As we continue to battle this crisis, ensuring that residents across Ontario have access to safe and inclusive municipal infrastructure is critical. 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. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds stronger, more resilient communities.” - The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“Many municipalities have faced challenging financial circumstances through this pandemic and therefore have had to put critical projects on standby. Recognizing the long-term impact this can have on economical development, the Federal government acted to deliver concrete investments. This funding helps create jobs and supports the infrastructure needed to help communities grow.” – Marc G. Serré, MP for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources

"We are very pleased to have received this funding from the Federal Government. With this financial support, the Municipality is able to mitigate potential flooding and protect critical infrastructure of the water system that serves the village of Killarney". – Nancy Wirtz, Mayor of Killarney

“We’re extremely appreciative of the funding allows the Municipality to safely retrofit the Public Works building. This will provide a lunch area where our employees will be able to safely distance from each other and provide an office for our lead hand employee.” – Gisele Pageau, Mayor of French River

“The Municipality of St.-Charles is delighted receive this funding which greatly benefits the residents of our municipality. During these difficult times brought on by Covid-19, people are encouraged to get outdoors for physical activity. The revitalization of a portion of our sidewalk system will ensure that our residents and patrons have a safe place to walk.  We would like to thank the Federal Government in supporting our Municipality in this endeavour.” – Paul Schoppmann, Mayor of St.-Charles

“Grateful for the financial support to replace the HVAC dehumidifier unit for our pool facility.  The unit is expensive and required replacement. Throughout budget deliberations, Council has recommended many priorities and decisions are based as per affordability and benefits to our taxpayers. This capital project was deferred with hope that funding could be secured.  Thank you to the Federal government and our MP Marc Serré for their ongoing support throughout these unprecedented times.” - Joanne Savage, Mayor the Municipality of West Nipissing

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 $10.2 billion in this program.
• 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.
• 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 COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure stream, the federal cost share for public infrastructure projects is 80 per cent in the provinces, and 100 per cent in the territories and for projects intended for Indigenous communities.
• The Government of Canada has invested over $8.7 billion in more than 3,100 infrastructure projects across Ontario under the Investing in Canada plan.

Associated links

Press Release: Applications are now open for COVID-19 resilience Infrastructure Stream for Municipalities in Northeastern Ontario

Investing in COVID-19 Community Resilience
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/covid-19-resilience-eng.html

Canada Healthy Communities Initiative
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/chci-iccs/index-eng.html

Investing in Canada: Canada’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html

Investing in Canada Plan Project Map
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map

Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-on-eng.html#1

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Contact

Kaylie Dudgeon,
Special Assistant
Marc G. Serré MP Nickel Belt
[email protected]
705-507-2416