NICKEL BELT – GREATER SUDBURY - The health and well-being of Canadians are top priorities for the government of Canada. Communities across Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and need immediate assistance to ensure their municipal and community infrastructure is safe and reliable.

That is why governments 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. 

Today, Marc G. Serré, MP for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources announced $111,618 in funding for St.-Charles and Markstay-Warren to improve community and municipal infrastructure.

$31,618 through Canada’s Healthy Communities fund will support St.-Charles’ efforts to create additional public spaces where local residents and visitors can go and enjoy the outdoor at no cost. Since the beginning of the pandemic the municipality has heard from residents on the need for additional activities and facilities that support physical and mental health. The funding is intended to help create two picnic areas near the local waterbodies Lake Nipissing and Lake Nepewassi with picnic tables and a walking trail with access to the lake where canoes or other vessel could be put in the lake. 

The $80,000 invested in Markstay-Warren provided through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream will support playground improvements to support a healthy community by enabling more families, children and people of all ages to access the structures and facilities.

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 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

 “Updated and accessible municipal infrastructure is critical for the economic growth and social development of communities. Rural communities face added challenges when accessing funding for municipal infrastructure and I commend our government for listening and implementing new funding streams tailored to getting important projects to completion. I look forward to hearing the positive benefits of these upgrades and continue working with municipal governments to advance their priorities.” – Marc G. Serré, MP for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources

“The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives significantly. As we return to our normal daily lives, active living has become an important part since we have been isolated for so long. Our citizens of Markstay-Warren will certainly benefit from this funding. Council would like to sincerely thank MP Marc Serré from the Federal government as well as our Provincial counterparts for their contributions under the COVID-19 Resilience Stream in the total amount of $80,000.00 for the upgrade of our playground facilities in the villages of Hagar and Warren and create walking trails surrounding our three municipal parks in Markstay, Hagar and Warren. Safety is paramount for our children. With updated accessible playground structures, they will be able to enjoy outdoor activities in the new enhanced modern structures. In addition, citizens of all ages will be able to enjoy the pathways being created around the parks for continued healthy living.” – Stephen Salonin, Mayor of Markstay-Warren

“The Municipality of St.-Charles is delighted for the financial contribution from the Federal Government under the Healthy Community Fund. Connecting with nature and enjoying the natural richness of Northern Ontario is important to all especially during these challenging times. This funding will allow us to start the process of establishing a picnic / park area near each of the two (2) major water bodies in our Municipality, being Lake Nipissing and Nepewassi Lake. We have many ambitions to continue and improve these sites into the future while protecting as much as we can the natural environment. This funding provides us the initial funds for our envisioned park areas.” – Paul Schoppmann, Mayor of St.-Charles

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 $13.9 billion in more than 3,200 infrastructure projects across Ontario under the Investing in Canada plan.

Associated links

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