The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing $51.2 Million to protect the health and well-being of residents in 129 municipalities across Southwestern, Midwestern and Central Ontario. Communities across Canada are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and need immediate assistance to ensure their public infrastructure is safe and reliable.
An article in Canada.ca states that the Government of Canada is investing more than $40.9 million in municipalities through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Ontario is contributing over $10.2 million.
The funding will support the following:
- Development of modern and accessible recreational spaces
- Replacement of equipment in health and emergency facilities
- Increased options for active transportation
- Renovation of municipal infrastructure and community centres
According to Blackburn News, a number of municipalities and townships in Huron, Perth, Bruce, Grey and Wellington are receiving funding ranging from just under $100,000 to as much as over half a million.
Kitchener CTV News reports that the Waterloo Region will receive millions of dollars in funding for infrastructure. Kitchener is receiving the most money from the investment, with $4,473,449 coming federally and $1,118,362 from the province. More than $3 million of that funding will be going to Sunnyside Home to bring in new generators and upgrade vent systems to improve air quality.
"The over $3 million investment in new generators for Sunnyside Long Term Care Home is transformative for our community. The staff, residents and families of Sunnyside have seen the worst of this pandemic. This support will continue to ensure our communities are safe, healthy and sustainable."
Regional Chair | Karen Redman
In Waterloo, the federal government is contributing $829,334, with $207,334 coming from the province.
The funding will be used for:
- Upgrading local pathways
- Upgrading local parks and woodlots
- Widening asphalt path on Laurelwood Drive
- Addition of hundreds of trees
Cambridge is set to receive $492,000 federally and $123,000 through the province.
Global News states that the Region of Waterloo, as its own entity, will receive a combined $4,210,000 from both the federal and provincial governments.
Woolwich was given $279,000, Wilmot another $223,968 and North Dumfries and Wellesley were each given $100,000.
"In the face of COVID-19, the Ontario government continues to move forward with infrastructure investments and accelerate the building of projects so we can strengthen communities and create jobs. We are supporting local infrastructure projects in Ontario to protect people's health and well-being, while contributing to the province's economic recovery this year and for many years to come."
Waterloo MP | Bardish Chagger
The COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream funding stream guarantees a minimum of $100,000 to each of the province's 444 municipalities. Additional funding has been allocated to municipalities based on a variety of factors, including the value of infrastructure and median household income in each municipality and over $3 billion is available to provide provinces and territories with added flexibility to fund quick-start, short-term projects.
Across Canada, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada has contributed $9.7 billion to 3,500 infrastructure projects.
