(Whitchurch-Stouffville) — The health and well-being of Canadians are top priorities for the governments of Canada and Ontario. Communities across Canada 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’s 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, Dr. Helena Jaczek, the MP for Markham-Stouffville, the Hon. Paul Calandra, the MPP for Markham-Stouffville, and Iain Lovatt, the Mayor of Whitchurch-Stouffville, announced joint funding for 2 projects in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville to improve community and municipal infrastructure.

The Government of Canada is investing $259,376 toward these projects through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Ontario is contributing $64,844 to these projects. These projects will result in the planting of approximately 500 trees across Whitchurch-Stouffville and the replacement and construction of new sidewalks.

On June 9, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and provincial partners, announced over $115.1 million to support municipalities across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) as they respond to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. 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

“This is a good example of how our government’s investments, and working together with other levels of government, can benefit communities. These projects, the tree planting and sidewalk improvement, will benefit the Town for years to come.”

Dr. Helena Jaczek, MP for Markham-Stouffville

“During this unprecedented time, it is critical that we prioritize our community infrastructure. Supporting infrastructure projects like these will help us protect families and communities. Through these investments, we’re supporting our province's economic recovery from COVID-19 and creating healthy and safe communities across Ontario.”

Hon. Paul Calandra, MPP for Markham-Stouffville

“I am grateful to MP Jaczek and the Federal government, and Minister Calandra and the Provincial government, for helping to fund these important projects. The planting of 500 new trees will be a welcome addition to our community, and sidewalk construction will help improve the safety of our residents.”

Iain Lovatt, Mayor of Whitchurch-Stouffville

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.
• 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% 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

Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario

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