Today, Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Canada's Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development; and the Honourable John Yakabuski, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, and Member of Provincial Parliament for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, on behalf of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario's Minister of Infrastructure, announced funding for eight road and bridge projects in Northern Ontario. They were joined by his Worship, Stephen Salonin, Mayor of the Municipality of Markstay-Warren.
These projects will improve various streets, roads, and a bridge. In Markstay-Warren, $4.4 million in federal and provincial funding is being invested in resurfacing, improvements to shoulders and drainage, and the replacement of driveway culverts for approximately 5.5 kilometers of streets. The project will improve road safety and reliability.
In Wasauksing First Nation - Parry Island, the reconstruction of about 16 kilometres of Wawbawzee Road will improve access to the First Nation territory for residents, visitors and emergency vehicles, year-round.
In addition, the reconstruction of the Krugerdorf Bridge will replace the current 3-span, 60 metre bridge with a shorter span, improving drainage and the roadway. The new bridge will be safer and more reliable for residents of the Township of Chamberlain.
The Government of Canada is investing over $16.7 million in these projects through the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The Government of Ontario is contributing more than $8.3 million for these important infrastructure projects in these communities, while municipalities are contributing over $2.7 million towards the projects and the Wasauksing First Nation is contributing $330,215 towards its project.
The governments of Canada and Ontario are working in collaboration with their partners to support jobs, improve communities and build confidence as we safely and sustainably restore economic growth.
Quotes
"Rural and Northern communities like Nickel Belt - Greater Sudbury depend on reliable infrastructure to ensure their communities are well positioned for economic and social vitality. It's important to continue collaborating and engaging directly with municipalities like Markstay-Warren in order to keep advocating for their infrastructure priorities. During these unprecedented times, this $2.8 million investment will go directly to Markstay-Warren, and will help create well-paying jobs during the construction phase of the projects, and will have an enduring positive effect on this community for many years to come!"
Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Canada's Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development
"This is a great day for local infrastructure in Northern, Central and Eastern Ontario. Today, eight local communities are gaining federal funding that Ontario nominated last year in support of our municipalities. We look forward to seeing shovels in the ground and construction underway to support these community projects, economic development and create jobs."
The Honourable John Yakabuski, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry and Member of Provincial Parliament for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, on behalf of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario's Minister of Infrastructure
"This infrastructure upgrade of the village of Markstay comes at a critical stage in the development of Markstay-Warren and could not have been implemented without this very generous infrastructure funding. On behalf of all of our Council and residents, I would like to thank both our Federal and Provincial governments for their continued support for our community, with over $4.4 million funding."
His Worship Stephen Salonin, Mayor of the Municipality of Markstay-Warren
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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$2 billion of this funding is supporting infrastructure projects that meet the unique needs of rural and northern communities like facilities to support food security, local access roads and enhanced broadband connectivity.
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Across Ontario, the Government of Canada has invested more than $2.5 billion in infrastructure under the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan.
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Ontario is investing $10.2 billion under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to improve public transit; community, culture and recreation; green, and rural and northern community infrastructure. The Rural Economic Development Strategy leverages ongoing federal investments and provides a vision for the future, identifying practical steps to take in the short term, and serving as a foundation to guide further work.
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Central to Canada's Connectivity Strategy are historic new investments that are mobilizing up to $6 billion toward universal connectivity. They include a top-up to the Connect to Innovate Program, a new Universal Broadband Fund, and investments from the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
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On July 9, 2020, Ontario launched the $150-million Improving Connectivity for Ontario program to fund broadband and cellular infrastructure projects where there is a need for better service. This is part of the province's $315 million initiative Up to Speed: Ontario's Broadband and Cellular Action Plan.
