Statement Regarding the Government of Canada's Budget 2016 Support for Green Infrastructure

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - April 6, 2016) -

Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Amarjeet Sohi issued the following statement today regarding the Government of Canada's support for green infrastructure, announced in Budget 2016:

We want to support economic growth that is clean and inclusive. And our government believes that economic growth, social inclusion and a solid climate change agenda do not compete - they complement each other. They go hand in hand and we must make the long term investments that will build the communities we want for our children, grand-children and great-grand-children.

Smart decision making and strategic investments will grow our economy and strengthen the middle class, providing Canadians with good jobs, a cleaner environment, and thriving communities.

On March 22, we tabled a budget that presented a $120-billion infrastructure plan, Investing in Canada, that offers immediate help for Canada's middle class. It also seeks to create an economy that works for all Canadians now, and into the future.

As part of Phase 1 of our new plan, we will invest $5.0 billion in green infrastructure projects right away, to support the future prosperity of Canadian communities and promote a sustainable economy.

With the aim to preserve the integrity of our environment and promote healthy and sustainable communities, our investments in green infrastructure are particularly important. Clean air and water, flood prevention, health and well-being can all be achieved through planned urban development that preserves a healthy environment.

To reflect our commitment to a cleaner environment, provide national leadership on climate change, and grow Canada's economy, we have committed:

• $2 billion for a new Clean Water and Wastewater Fund for Provinces, Territories and Municipalities;
• $1.8 billion to address health and safety needs, to ensure proper facility operation and maintenance, and to end long-term boil water advisories on First Nations reserves;
• $248 million for the Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin Outlet Channels Project in Manitoba's Interlake Region for flood mitigation;
• $212 million to replace the Lions Gate Wastewater Treatment Plant;
• $125 million to enhance the Green Municipal Fund;
• $75 million in new funding for local governments to address climate change; and
• $50 million for a new capacity building fund for communities to support asset management.

In addition to these new investments we are also accelerating funding for green infrastructure projects under existing programs.

Green infrastructure benefits many vital aspects of environmental sustainability and is key to a resilient and strong Canadian clean growth economy: investing in green infrastructure creates jobs and business opportunities and promotes sustainable development.

Working with provinces, territories and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, we will support the future prosperity of Canada's communities by investing in:

• $62.5 million for alternative transportation fuel infrastructure, including charging infrastructure for electric vehicles and natural gas and hydrogen refuelling stations;
• initiatives to foster regional electricity cooperation, and the development of building codes and standards that integrate climate resiliency requirements;
• the modernization of water and wastewater infrastructure; and
• infrastructure that provides greenhouse gas reduction opportunities to address climate change.

These investments reflect our commitment to provide leadership and work with our continental partners on climate change and grow Canada's economy while leaving a lasting legacy for tomorrow's generation.

Our investments over the short-term will lay the foundation for a long-term investment strategy in public infrastructure; we will build a country that will thrive socially, environmentally and economically.

For more information, please visit budget.gc.ca:

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