Canada and Saskatchewan Reach Agreement Under New Federal Infrastructure Funding Programs

REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN--(Marketwired - Sept. 16, 2016) - The governments of Canada and Saskatchewan are making investments that will help create jobs and grow the middle class now while building a strong foundation for a sustainable economic future. Investing in local infrastructure helps ensure that Canadians and their families have safe water to drink, wastewater systems they can rely on, and high-quality public transit systems that get them to work on time and back home safely at the end of a long day.

Today, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and the Honourable Donna Harpauer, Minister of Government Relations and Minister Responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs, announced a bilateral agreement that will make more than $236.6 million in combined funding available to Canadians and their communities under two new federal programs - the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund and the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund. The federal government is providing up to 50 per cent of funding - just over $118.3 million - for projects supported through these programs, and the provincial government and municipalities will provide the balance of funding.

Also announced today was an initial list of 22 approved projects under the two new funding programs. The list includes important investments in 10 water and wastewater projects, such as the replacement of water mains and service connections in several Saskatoon neighbourhoods and wastewater infrastructure improvements in Regina. It also includes 12 transit projects to purchase buses, make upgrades, and undertake planning, designs and studies for future improvements for the public transit systems in Regina and Saskatoon. The province will identify additional projects for funding over the next six months.

The Government of Canada has now signed a bilateral agreement with each province and territory, marking a major milestone for Phase 1 of Investing in Canada, the historic $120-billion plan to support public infrastructure across the country over the next 10 years.

Quotes

"Infrastructure is the foundation of the Canada we want to build for tomorrow. We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with Saskatchewan, which will make over $236.6 million in combined funding available so that Saskatchewan communities can address their specific infrastructure priorities, while helping grow the middle class with good, well-paying jobs."

The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

"I am very proud that the Government of Canada has now signed a bilateral agreement with each and every province and territory across our great country. This achievement is a testament to the solid partnerships that we have achieved with all orders of government to support Canadian infrastructure and create good, well-paying jobs that can help the middle class grow and prosper."

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Infrastructure investments are a top priority for the Government of Saskatchewan; they foster growth and improve the quality of life in our communities. We look forward to participating in this important program and working with the federal government and our municipal partners. Today's announcement is another example of our commitment to keeping Saskatchewan strong."

The Honourable Donna Harpauer, Minister of Government Relations and Minister Responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs

"Saskatchewan's urban municipalities are deeply grateful for the Government of Canada's ongoing investment in municipal infrastructure. The federal government providing up to 50 per cent of funding for municipal projects eligible through these funds will help us make great strides for local infrastructure. This commitment recognizes the key role municipalities play in delivering important services - such as clean drinking water - and the challenges municipalities face to fund these projects with limited funding opportunities. We also sincerely appreciate the Government of Saskatchewan's financial contribution and their ongoing support for local governments. The provincial government's participation in this program will ensure more Saskatchewan cities, towns, and villages will benefit from this program, ensuring our hometowns get the support they deserve."

Debra Button, President of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association

Related product

Complete list of identified projects in Saskatchewan: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1125579

Quick facts

• Phase 1 of Investing in Canada provides $11.9 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 coming months.
• This funding is retroactive to April 1, 2016, so that projects can proceed without delay to ensure a productive construction season.

Associated links

Federal infrastructure investments in Saskatchewan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/pt-sp/ptt-tsp-eng.html

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

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

Canada and Saskatchewan reach agreement under new federal infrastructure funding programs

Canada and Saskatchewan have approved an initial list of transit and water infrastructure projects under two new federal infrastructure programs introduced as part of Phase 1 of the $120-billion Investing in Canada plan. The Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF) and the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF) will address key infrastructure priorities with a focus on repairing and upgrading existing facilities and assets for middle class Canadians and their families.

Clean Water and Wastewater Fund

The Government of Canada is providing Saskatchewan with $89,342,112 under the new Clean Water and Wastewater Fund, and will fund up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs. The Government of Saskatchewan and municipalities will each fund 25 per cent of eligible project costs.

As part of the bilateral agreement with Saskatchewan, the following 10 projects have been approved to date for federal funding amounting to $29.5 million. Combined with provincial contributions of $14.75 million and municipal contributions of $14.75 million, a total of $59 million will be going toward providing families in Regina and Saskatoon with more reliable water and wastewater systems.

Additional projects will be identified by the province for funding over the next six months.

Public Transit Infrastructure Fund

The Government of Canada is providing the Government of Saskatchewan with $29,000,000 under the new Public Transit Infrastructure Fund, and will fund up to 50 per cent of the eligible project costs. Saskatchewan municipalities will fund the remaining 50 per cent of eligible project costs.

As part of the bilateral agreement with Saskatchewan, the following 12 projects have been approved to date for federal funding amounting to more than $27.3 million. Combined with municipal contributions of more than $27.3 million, more than $54.6 million will be going toward buses, upgrades, and planning and design initiatives to improve public transit services in Regina and Saskatoon.