Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna announced yesterday that the federal government will allocate more than $3 billion for projects that make provincial and local government facilities more pandemic resistant and encourage outdoor activities. The Minister made the comments during an interview with the Canadian Press.
The funding will be carved out of the existing $33.5 billion Investing in Canada Program. The new funding stream would likely include retrofits to health-care facilities and schools, and improved active transportation. The Canadian Press also reported that the federal government is considering increasing its share of projects to up to 80% of the total cost of a provincial or local government project, and 100% of the project cost in the territories. Projects would need to be completed by the end of the 2021 construction season.
Infrastructure Canada has not yet released specific program details. UBCM is reaching out to Infrastructure Canada and the provincial government to confirm details and will circulate those once they become available.