Joint Funding Announced for 14 Projects to Enhance Toronto's Cultural, Community, and Active Transportation Infrastructure

Strategic Insights -

Canadians are feeling the impacts of COVID-19 on their families, livelihoods, and way of life, and governments are working together to enhance citizens' quality of life, meet community needs, and promote job creation. The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and Member of Parliament for Scarborough Southwest, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Adam Vaughan, Member of Parliament for Spadina-Fort York, Marci Ien, Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre, the Honourable Kinga Surma, Ontario's Minister of Infrastructure, and Member of Provincial Parliament for Etobicoke Centre, the Honourable Rod Phillips, Ontario's Minister of Long-Term Care, and Member of Provincial Parliament for Ajax, and His Worship John Tory, Mayor of the City of Toronto, have announced joint funding for 14 projects to improve cultural, community, and active transportation infrastructure across the City.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Government of Canada is investing over $13.6 million in the projects through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream (CVRIS) and the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream (CCRIS) of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure plan.
  • The Government of Ontario is providing over $8.3 million, with recipients contributing over $5.6 million towards their respective projects.
  • Among the projects funded through CVRIS are eight components of the City of Toronto's Ravine Strategy to improve the City's active transportation infrastructure.
  • The Toronto Ravine Strategy project will increase access to public and private greenspace, providing residents with accessible and reliable trail systems and outdoor spaces to help them maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
  • Funding announced today will also support improvements to community, cultural, and recreation facilities throughout the city.
  • The COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream allows the Government of Canada to invest up to 80 per cent of eligible costs for projects in provinces, and up to 100 per cent for projects in territories and Indigenous communities.
  • The joint investments announced today will enable long-term care homes, such as Belmont House and the Tony Stacey Centre for Veterans' Care, to improve their facilities and provide residents with a safer and more comfortable living environment.
  • The Honourable Bill Blair emphasized that investments in local infrastructure are critical to the wellbeing of communities, while Marci Ien noted that local and accessible recreational and active transportation opportunities are crucial for personal, family, and community health during the pandemic.
  • His Worship John Tory, Mayor of the City of Toronto, highlighted the importance of the Ravine Strategy project and the collaborative effort to improve Toronto's facilities and infrastructure.

Statistics:

  • The Government of Canada is investing over $13.6 million in the projects through CVRIS and CCRIS.
  • The Government of Ontario is providing over $8.3 million, with recipients contributing over $5.6 million towards their respective projects.
  • The Toronto Ravine Strategy project involves eight components to improve the City's active transportation infrastructure.
  • The COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream guarantees a minimum of $100,000 to each of the province's 444 municipalities.
  • The Government of Ontario is investing approximately $320 million across the province over the next 10 years, while the federal government is investing approximately $407 million under the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

Sources:

  • Government of Canada News Release, August 13, 2021
  • Ontario Government News Release, August 13, 2021
  • City of Toronto News Release, August 13, 2021
  • Web Newswire, August 13, 2021