Increased Federal Funding for Infrastructure Projects in Small Communities
Kim Rudd, Member of Parliament for Northumberland—Peterborough South and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, announced that the federal cost share will increase from 50% to 60% for communities with a population of under 5,000. Indigenous communities in the provinces will be eligible for a federal cost share of up to 75%. All communities in the three territories will remain eligible for a federal cost share of up to 75%. Eligible projects fall under the rural and northern communities’ infrastructure stream of the Investing in Canada plan, which includes projects such as facilities that support food security, local roads, renewable energy and enhanced broadband connectivity.
The increased federal cost share will help small communities across Canada address their unique and wide ranging infrastructure priorities, improve sustainability and increase economic opportunities.
This is great news for over 3,000 small municipalities across Canada, such as Orono, Hastings, Keene, Norwood, Kendal, Warkworth, Grafton, and others that could benefit from this announcement.
The funding will be made available through new bilateral agreements that are currently under negotiation between Infrastructure Canada and each of the provinces and territories as part of the Investing in Canada plan. The agreements are expected to be signed by spring 2018, opening the door to new project approvals.
Quotes
“This announcement provides critical supports for our smaller communities, giving them better allocations to crucial and much-needed infrastructure dollars. As a government, we’ve made investing in our rural communities a priority, and I look forward to our smaller towns and villages across the riding benefitting from this important announcement.”
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Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love