Canada and Manitoba Reach Agreement Under New Federal Infrastructure Funding Programs

WEST ST. PAUL, MANITOBA--(Marketwired - July 25, 2016) - Infrastructure Canada

Investing in local infrastructure helps ensure that Canadian communities have access to high-quality municipal water and wastewater systems that families can rely on, and efficient and modern public transit systems so that people can get to work on time and back home safely at the end of a long day.

Today, the Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, and Eileen Clarke, Minister of Indigenous and Municipal Relations, announced a bilateral agreement, marking a critical step in making more than $178 million in federal infrastructure funding available under two new federal programs - the Public Transit Fund and the Canadian Water and Wastewater Fund.

The agreement signed today is part of Phase 1 of the 10-year Investing in Canada plan, which will help lay the foundation for the longer-term federal investment strategy.

Also announced today was the approval an initial list of 27 projects under the two new funding programs, representing $101,975,000 in federal funding alone. Together with provincial and municipal contributions, more than $205 million in combined funding is available to Manitoba municipalities to support these public transit, water and wastewater projects.

Of these projects, the federal government is providing $52,950,000 through the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund and Manitoba is providing $26,475,000 for 4 projects. The funds will support projects such as upgrades to Winnipeg's public transit facilities and busses, which will help enhance rider experience, increase reliability, safety, accessibility and efficiency, and improve the environmental outcomes of the City's transit system.

It also provides $49,025,000 in federal funding through the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund and $24,512,000 in provincial funding to support 23 projects, such as the construction of a new reservoir and pump house in the Rural Municipality of West St. Paul which will allow them to collect water from the new Cartier Regional Water Co-op system.

By working together with municipalities, as well as the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, the Province of Manitoba is identifying infrastructure priorities to build a better, stronger, more prosperous Manitoba. Provincial funding of $50,987,000 for these projects will come from the Building Manitoba Fund.

Additional projects under both funds are expected to be prioritized by the province in coming months after an application intake has taken place.

Quotes

"Infrastructure is the foundation of the Canada we want to build for tomorrow. This is why the Government of Canada is providing funding for infrastructure projects that will help grow the middle class. The Government recognizes that we need a solid partnership with all orders of government to support infrastructure and create good, well-paying jobs that can help the middle class grow and prosper today. We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with Manitoba, which will make over $205 million in funding available and allow communities across the province to address their specific infrastructure priorities."

The Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk,

Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

"We are pleased to partner with the federal government to support local infrastructure priorities throughout the province. Our plan to provide all municipalities with a "Fair Say" on how funds are invested in their communities will include a single window application intake for cost-shared infrastructure funding. Our Government's new approach to strategic infrastructure investment will reduce red tape, allow more efficient access to funding and put Manitoba on the path to a stronger economy and closer to becoming the most improved province in Canada."

Honourable Eileen Clarke,

Minister of Indigenous and Municipal Relations

"Municipalities have called for a 'fair say' on how infrastructure dollars are invested, while stressing the importance of clean and safe drinking water as well as efficient wastewater treatment for Manitobans. Our association is pleased to be at the table as a partner working alongside the federal and provincial governments in selecting municipal infrastructure projects that benefit our communities."

Chris Goertzen,

Association of Manitoba Municipalities President

Related products

For the complete list of identified projects to date in Manitoba, please visit: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1104019

Quick facts

• This funding is part of the first phase of Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada's historic $120-billion plan to support public infrastructure across the country over the next 10 years.
• Phase 1 of Investing in Canada will provide well over $10 billion in investments to support public transit systems, green infrastructure projects, and social infrastructure projects. Details on Phase 2 of Investing in Canada will be announced over the next year.
• The funding will be provided through the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund and the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund, both of which will be managed through agreements between the Government of Canada and provincial and territorial governments.
• Under this agreement, the Government of Canada has made its funding retroactive to April 1, 2016, so projects can proceed without delay to ensure a productive construction season.

Associated links

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

Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada's new $120 billion infrastructure plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/index-eng.html

Have your say in infrastructure: www.infraconsults.ca

Manitoba's infrastructure projects: www.infrastructure.mb.ca

The Clean Water and Wastewater Fund: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/cwwf-fepeu-eng.html

The Public Transit Infrastructure Fund: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/ptif-fitc-eng.php

Twitter: @INFC_eng

Web: Infrastructure Canada

BACKGROUNDER

27 Manitoba Infrastructure Projects Approved Under New Federal Funding Programs

Canada and Manitoba approved 27 community infrastructure projects today under two new federal infrastructure programs introduced as part of Phase 1 of the 10-year Investing in Canada plan. The Public Transit Infrastructure Fund and the Canadian Water and Wastewater Fund, are both aimed at addressing priority projects and focuses on repairing and upgrading existing facilities and assets. Phase 1 will help lay the foundation for the longer-term federal investment strategy. Details on Phase 2 of Investing in Canada will be announced over the next year.

Additional projects will be prioritized by the province for funding under each of these funds in the coming months.

Public Transit Infrastructure Fund

The Government of Canada is providing $52,950,000 under the new Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF), and the Government of Manitoba is providing $26,475,000 to support the following four projects to help shorten commute times and cut air pollution in Manitoba. The federal government will fund up to 50% of eligible costs for projects under this Fund. Combined with provincial and municipal contributions, more than $107,400,000 will be going toward public transit across Manitoba.

Clean Water and Wastewater Fund

The Government of Canada is providing $49,025,000 under the new Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF), and the Government of Manitoba is providing $24,512,500 to support the following 23 projects that will rehabilitate and improve the reliability or operational effectiveness or efficiency of community water and wastewater systems. The federal government will fund up to 50% of eligible costs for projects under this Fund. Combined with provincial and municipal contributions, more than $98,350,000 for projects will be going toward clean water and wastewater across Manitoba.