Investing in Greater Sudbury to respond to the impacts of COVID-19

Aug 6, 2021

The health and well-being of Canadians are top priorities for the governments of Canada and Ontario. Communities across Canada are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and need immediate assistance to ensure their municipal and community infrastructure is safe and reliable.

That is why governments have been taking decisive action to support families, businesses and communities, and continue to look ahead to see what more can be done in these unprecedented times.  

Today, Sudbury MP Paul Lefebvre, Marc Serré, Parliamentary Secretary for Natural Resources, and Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger announced more than $550,000 in funding through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program for two key pieces of Sudbury’s infrastructure. 

The Government of Canada is investing $412,800 Bell Park Walkway and Loop Trail Development Project in Sudbury, and a further $150,000 for trail improvements in Fielding Memorial Park in Lively.

The Bell Park improvement include widening and adding wayfinding signs along the existing pathway and repairing portions of the Jim Gordon Boardwalk.
The Fielding Park improvements involve resurfacing concrete pathways and decking, regrading pathways to prevent water accumulation, repairing lookout areas and installing accessible seating and signage.

The Province of Ontario will contribute $130,000 to these projects.

In all, The Government of Canada is investing more than $12 million in Northern Ontario municipalities through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan. The Government of Ontario is contributing more than $3 million.

The COVID-19 stream, implemented in response to the pandemic, allows Government of Canada to invest up to 80% in projects that support provinces and up to 100% in projects that support territories and Indigenous communities in their response to the pandemic.


Quotes

“Thanks to this funding, we will be able to rehabilitate a well-used and loved paths and trails in our best used parks in both Sudbury and Lively. These upgrades will be a welcome investment, facilitating active lifestyles, increased connectivity, and expanded active transportation for residents of our community."
Paul Lefebvre, Member of Parliament for Sudbury

“These are welcomed investments to ensure infrastructure is safe and accessible to ensure Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury residents can keep enjoying all that our beautiful landscape has to offer. I commend our government for prioritizing municipal infrastructure upgrades as they directly impact the quality of life for people of all ages.” 
Marc G. Serré, MP for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources  

"Both Bell Park and Fielding Memorial Park are cherished locations that friends and families enjoy on a daily basis. Our community takes great pride in these parks, which is why it is so important to maintain their quality by upgrading infrastructure and assets such as pathways, signage, and seating areas. Each aspect of these projects will ensure our community spaces can be easily enjoyed by everyone for years to come."
Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger


Quick facts 

  • Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure 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. Ontario is investing $10.2 billion in this program.
  • To support Canadians and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, a COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure stream has been added to the over $33-billion Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to help fund pandemic-resilient infrastructure. Existing program streams have also been adapted to include more eligible project categories. 
  • Through the COVID-19 Resilience stream, over $3 billion is available to provide provinces and territories with added flexibility to fund quick-start, short term projects.
  • Under the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure stream, the federal cost share for public infrastructure projects is 80 per cent in the provinces, and 100 per cent in the territories and for projects intended for Indigenous communities. 
  • The Government of Canada has invested over $13.9 billion in more than 3,200 infrastructure projects across Ontario under the Investing in Canada plan.

Associated links

Investing in COVID-19 Community Resilience
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/covid-19-resilience-eng.html

Canada Healthy Communities Initiative
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/chci-iccs/index-eng.html

Investing in Canada: Canada’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html

Investing in Canada Plan Project Map
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map

Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario 
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-on-eng.html#1 

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