New public transit funding available for transformative infrastructure projects in Waterloo

Supporting new projects that build prosperous communities and transition to a clean growth economy

WATERLOO, ON, March 16, 2018 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Ontario are working together to make long-term infrastructure investments to create economic growth, build inclusive communities and support a low carbon, green economy?leading to a higher quality of life for all Canadians.

On March 14, 2018, the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure, announced the signing of a bilateral agreement that will provide more than $11.8 billion through the Investing in Canada plan over the next decade in federal funding dedicated to infrastructure projects. The projects supported through this agreement will have a total value of over $31 billion, including $10 billion committed by the Ontario government. These projects will be cost-shared with the Ontario government, municipalities and other partners.

Through this agreement, the governments of Canada and Ontario will be making unprecedented investments in public transit, green infrastructure, and recreational and cultural infrastructure.

Under the public transit stream, Waterloo will receive over $187 million in federal funding and over $154 million in provincial funding to build new urban transit networks and service extensions that will transform the way residents live, move and work.

These investments will make a positive difference in communities, resulting in the better movement of people and goods, providing clean air and water, and enabling smarter and more efficient cities.

Quotes

"Efficient and sustainable public transit plays an important role in keeping our communities among the best places in the world to live, while contributing to clean economic growth. By working with our provincial and municipal partners, we will deliver real support through transformative projects that will benefit the residents of Waterloo."

The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Small Business and Tourism and Member of Parliament for Waterloo

"Every dollar we invest in infrastructure is an investment in quality of life and our job-creating economy. We are pleased join the federal government in building the public transit, green, recreation, and other infrastructure the people of Ontario need and deserve. The $10 billion we are committing to Phase 2 of the Investing in Canada Plan will be derived in part from Ontario's unprecedented investment of $190 billion in public infrastructure over thirteen years."

The Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure

Quick facts

• Under the Investing in Canada 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.
• Under the first phase of the plan, Infrastructure Canada has approved nearly 3,500 projects across Canada worth a combined investment of more than $8.4 billion, including more than 2,000 projects worth more than $1.6 billion in Ontario.
• As part of the Plan, Infrastructure Canada will deliver $33 billion over the next decade through new bilateral agreements with provinces and territories under four funding streams: 
• $20.1 billion for public transit;
• $9.2 billion for green infrastructure;
• $1.3 billion for community, cultural and recreational infrastructure; and
• $2.4 billion for wide-ranging infrastructure needs in rural and northern communities.
• The funding provided under the bilateral agreement also includes up to $660 million committed to the Scarborough Subway Extension project in Toronto, which will be reviewed when formally submitted by the province. The Government of Ontario will continue to work closely with the City of Toronto on this project. The province has already committed to supporting it through previously approved public transit investment funding.
• This funding provided to Ontario under the bilateral agreement includes almost $1.5 billion that has been committed through the Investing in Canada plan for the Ottawa Light Rail Transit Stage 2 project and the Port Lands Flood Protection and Enabling Infrastructure project in Toronto.
• Ontario is investing $190 billion in public infrastructure over 13 years, starting in 2014?15. This represents the largest infrastructure investment in the province's history to support priority projects such as hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and public transit.

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Backgrounder

New public transit funding available for transformative infrastructure projects in Waterloo
Supporting new projects that build prosperous communities and transition to a clean growth economy

Under the $180 billion Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is signing new bilateral agreements with all provinces and territories. The new bilateral agreements will see more than $33 billion in federal investment towards significant infrastructure projects across the country. The objective of these investments will be to transform the way Canadians live, move and work in four priority areas:

• Public transit;
• Green infrastructure;
• Community, culture, and recreation infrastructure; and
• Rural and northern communities.

Ontario will match new federal funding in part through its provincial infrastructure plan, which is investing more than $190 billion over 13 years.

Public Transit Stream

The Public Transit stream will provide provinces, territories and municipalities with funding to address the new construction, expansion, and improvement and rehabilitation of public transit infrastructure.

The table below provides an overview of the maximum transit allocations for the following municipalities:

* Provincial allocation is assumed based on a 33% cost share with the Government of Canada

Associated links

Government of Canada's $180-billion+ Investing in Canada plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/about-invest-apropos-eng.html

Investing in Canada plan project map: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html

Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/on-eng.html

Twitter: @INFC_eng 
Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada