Today, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, joined Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Melanie Thomas, Vice President of Community Foundations of Canada, Mary W. Rowe, President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Institute, to announce projects from the first round of funding and launch a second round of funding under the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative. Also in attendance were Will Amos, Member of Parliament for Pontiac, John McDonnell, Executive Director at Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Ottawa Valley Chapter, and Kolade Kolawole-Boboye, Founding Member and Director of Alumni Youth at Hope Blooms.
The two projects being announced today are part of the over 250 projects receiving funding in the first round of the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative. Federal funding of almost $24,000 will support the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society project will help build a 30 km trail linking Grande Chute on the Dumoine River to the Ottawa River to create a lasting community infrastructure and space for hiking. The Hope Blooms project will create a playground and accessible seating area in Murray Warrington Park for youth, families, and seniors to enjoy. Federal funding of $40,000 will support this project through the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative.
The Canada Healthy Communities Initiative is a $31-million investment to build safer spaces and ensure a higher quality of life for people across the country, by helping communities adapt to the challenges presented by COVID-19.
The second round of funding for the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative opens today. Applicants can apply for funding ranging from $5,000 to $250,000 for eligible projects, within an overall envelope of $31 million in federal government funding. Local governments and a variety of community-led organizations are eligible to apply, including charities, Indigenous communities, and registered non-profit organizations. Organizations interested in submitting an application are encouraged to visit healthycommunitiesinitiative.ca
