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Canada and Ontario partner to invest $1,869,172 in Bay of Quinte communities to respond to impacts of COVID-19

Alerts/Notices Community and Human Services COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness EOWC/EORN General Long Term Care Paramedic Services Planning & Development Warden & County Council

Categories: COVID-19

Posted On: July 6, 2021

Belleville, Ontario, July 5, 2021 — The health and well-being of Canadians are top priorities for the governments of Canada and Ontario. Communities across Ontario 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 both levels of government 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. This includes a combined investment of $22.2 million to support infrastructure in communities to help protect the health of residents, create jobs, and promote economic recovery. 

Today, Bay of Quinte MP Neil Ellis and MPP Todd Smith announced $1,869,172 in joint funding for five projects within the City of Belleville, the City of Quinte West, the County of Hastings, and the County of Prince Edward to improve municipal infrastructure.

This investment is being made through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, a cost-shared, application-based infrastructure funding opportunity.

The Government of Canada is investing over $1,495,337 toward these five projects while the Government of Ontario is contributing more than $373,834.

Funding announced today will support upgrades to improve and protect important municipal buildings such as town centres and emergency and healthcare facilities. Additional investments will rehabilitate recreational and community infrastructure across Eastern Ontario, and include improvements to local trail and pedestrian path systems. These investments will provide thousands of residents with access to modern recreational infrastructure where they can safely maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.

The supported projects are as follows:

City of Belleville – Community Trail, Park, and Playground Enhancements, $920,000

This project will upgrade five parks and create a new dog park within the City. The work will involve upgrading play structures in Cascade, Haig, and Stanley Park, extending the trail and adding furnishings in Bird Park, while upgrading spectator facilities at Mary-Ann Sills Park.  That work includes moving light poles, pouring concrete pads for bleachers, and adding fencing.  In addition, a new dog park will be created north of Hwy 401 by fencing in an area and adding bleachers.

City of Belleville – River Road sidewalk reconstruction, $202,996

This project will reconstruct the River Road sidewalk.

City of Quinte West – Centennial Park Waterfront Trail expansion, $447,002

This project will expand active transportation infrastructure in Quinte West. The work will involve constructing a new pathway, planting trees, and adding sod, planting beds, accessible picnic tables, bike racks, benches, and solar lighting units.

County of Hastings – Hastings Manor Long-Term Care flooring project, $100,000

This project will replace the tile floor in the common areas and corridors on the second floor at the Hastings Manor in Belleville.

County of Prince Edward – Prince Edward County council chambers expansion, $199,174

The municipal building, Shire Hall, will be renovated by expanding the council chambers and public gallery and improving livestream technology and accessibility.

Quotes

“I am proud to share the federal government’s investment in our community infrastructure to develop and renovate municipal buildings, community centres and cultural facilities, providing safe and inclusive spaces for all residents of the Bay of Quinte. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities. I am very pleased to see the positive changes in the Bay of Quinte as we continue to move forward with our provincial, municipal, and community partners.”
– Neil Ellis, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and Member of Parliament for Bay of Quinte, on behalf of the Honourable Catherin McKenna, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Commumities

“These grants through the ICIP partnership improve quality of life for people across Bay of Quinte by enhancing public spaces in our communities. The approved projects will extend safety and accessibility and create good jobs within our region. Our Province is pleased to work with the federal government to support local municipalities through this pandemic.”
– The Honourable Todd Smith, Ontario’s Minister of Children, Community and Social Services and Member of Provincial Parliament for Bay of Quinte, on behalf of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure

“During the past year the importance of our outdoor recreational facilities has escalated as residents seek ways to safely enjoy the outdoors. This infrastructure funding from the federal and provincial governments enables us to improve current park spaces and create exciting new options for our community. We appreciate this support and will pursue planned outdoor initiatives with these resources.”
– Mitch Panciuk, Mayor, City of Belleville

“We are incredibly grateful to receive this funding. With it, we will improve and expand the outdoor recreation amenities available in Centennial Park. Residents are spending more time outdoors, and we look forward to further developing one of our most popular outdoor attractions.”
– Jim Harrison, Mayor, City of Quinte West

“The County of Hastings is pleased to receive $100,000 through the ICIP COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream.  As our long-term care homes age, we undertake necessary yearly upgrades to ensure the safety of our resident but also just as important is ensuring that the home is maintained to the highest standards.  Hastings Manor is home to 253 residents who deserve to live in an environment that is safe and welcoming and feels like home.  This replacement of the 2nd Floor flooring is the final phase of the flooring upgrades required in the resident home areas and we are excited to have this project completed,” 
– Rick Phillips, Warden, County of Hastings

“The Shire Hall Council Chambers has provided the forum for public municipal meetings in some form for almost 150 years. This historically important space plays an important role in our local government. However, COVID-19 and the associated restrictions have served to reinforce the limitations of this space for our modern world. Thanks to this funding from the federal and provincial government, the County of Prince Edward will have the option to consider addressing the accessibility and technological challenges of the Council Chambers and reduce the barriers to participating in the democratic process at the local level.”
– Steve Ferguson, Mayor, County of Prince Edward

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 over $10.2 billion under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to improve public transit; community, culture and recreation; green, and rural and northern community and other priority infrastructure.
  • 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.
  • The new COVID-19 Resilience stream will provide up to $1.05 billion in combined federal-provincial funding for infrastructure projects across Ontario, including: up to $700 million for education-related projects; an allocation-based program that will deliver up to $250 million to municipalities to address critical local infrastructure needs and; up to $100 million for long-term care projects. Part of the local government infrastructure funding includes a minimum of $6.5 million in shared federal-provincial funding for Indigenous and off-reserve education projects.

Associated links

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

Ontario Builds Project Map
https://www.ontario.ca/page/building-ontario

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Contacts

Corrine Codina
Constituency Assistant
MP Neil Ellis’ office
613-969-3300
neil.ellis@parl.gc.ca

Adam Bramburger
Constituency Assistant
MPP Todd Smith’s office
613-962-1144
adam.bramburger@pc.ola.org