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, Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Halifax, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Zach Churchill, Minister of Health and Wellness, announced funding for six projects that will renovate and rehabilitate several hospitals and medical facilities to improve COVID-19 safety measures.
The projects include repairs and upgrades to the IWK Hospital's cooling systems, electrical systems, water pump, exterior caulking, air handling units, hand washing sinks and audio-visual infrastructure along with the replacement of privacy curtain with standardized barriers to better fit health standards. These projects will help keep staff, patients, and visitors safe and healthy.
In addition, the expansion of Halifax Infirmary Charles V Keating Emergency and Trauma Centre's emergency department, supplementary spaces will improve functional needs and efficiency. Finally, the QEII Health Sciences Centre will benefit from window renovations, a fire booster pump replacement, and generator system and casework upgrades to ensure emergency services are operating smoothly.
The Government of Canada is investing over $15.3 million dollars in these projects through the COVID-19 Resilience Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Nova Scotia is contributing more than $3.8 million.
Quotes
"The Government of Canada is taking strong and quick action to protect the health and safety of all Canadians, to stabilize our economy, and to support communities across Canada. The repairs and rehabilitations to several hospital and medical facilities will promote a healthier, safer environment for patients and staff. Canada's infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities."
Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Halifax, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
"The health of our province depends on the health of our people. Infrastructure projects like this are about more than construction as they help enhance Nova Scotians' access to care, and help with the retention and recruitment of health care professionals. Through this federal and provincial funding, as well as through other health care projects across the province, we have an opportunity to rethink and rebuild the way we deliver health care."
The Honourable Zach Churchill, Minister of Health and Wellness
Quick facts
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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.
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To support Canadians and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, a COVID-19 Resilience 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.
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Under the COVID-19 Resilience 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.
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To support smaller-scale projects, the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative is providing up to $31 million in existing federal funding to help communities adapt spaces and services to respond to immediate and ongoing needs arising from COVID-19 over the next two years.
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The Government of Canada has invested over $831 million in 204 infrastructure projects across Nova Scotia under the Investing in Canada plan.
