Supporting new projects that build prosperous communities and transition to a clean growth economy
March 14, 2018 12:00 P.M. Ministry of Infrastructure
The governments of Canada and Ontario are working together to make long-term infrastructure investments that will create economic growth, sustain well-paying jobs, build inclusive communities and support a low carbon, green economy-leading to a higher quality of life for all Canadians.
Today, the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure, announced the signing of a bilateral agreement that will provide more than $11.8 billion through the Investing in Canada plan over the next decade in federal funding dedicated to infrastructure projects. The projects supported through this agreement will have a total value of over $31 billion, including $10 billion committed by the Ontario government. These projects will be cost-shared with the Ontario government, municipalities and other partners.
This new funding will see the Government of Canada and the province of Ontario make unprecedented investments in public transit, green infrastructure, and recreational and cultural infrastructure.
These investments will have benefits for people in communities across the province, including:
– Faster commute and travel time for more people, and easier movement of goods for businesses
– Cleaner air and water
– Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
– Smarter and more efficient cities
– Sustainable water management
– Enhanced public parks, recreational facilities and other spaces that make communities great places to live
– Better transportation and digital infrastructure for people living in remote communities
– Increased energy security and reduced reliance on diesel in the North
– The funding announced today builds on Ontario’s $190 billion commitment to infrastructure over 13 years. The province’s investments are already supporting priority projects across the province such as schools, hospitals, public transit, roads and bridges.
Across Canada, more than $33 billion in federal funding will be invested through new bilateral agreements with provinces and territories. Provinces and territories will develop three-year plans that will provide information on how they will implement their infrastructure projects.
Quick Facts
Under the Investing in Canada 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.
Under the first phase of the plan, Infrastructure Canada has approved nearly 3,500 projects across Canada worth a combined investment of more than $8.4 billion, including more than 2,000 projects worth more than $1.6 billion in Ontario.
As part of the Plan, Infrastructure Canada will deliver $33 billion over the next decade through new bilateral agreements with provinces and territories under four funding streams:
– $20.1 billion for public transit;
– $9.2 billion for green infrastructure;
– $1.3 billion for community, cultural and recreational infrastructure; and
– $2 billion for wide-ranging infrastructure needs in rural and northern communities.
The funding provided under the bilateral agreement also includes up to $660 million committed to the Scarborough Subway Extension project in Toronto, which will be reviewed when formally submitted by the province. The Government of Ontario will continue to work closely with the City of Toronto on this project. The province has already committed to supporting it through previously approved public transit investment funding.
This funding provided to Ontario under the bilateral agreement includes almost $1.5 billion that has been committed through the Investing in Canada plan for the Ottawa Light Rail Transit Stage 2 project and the Port Lands Flood Protection and Enabling Infrastructure project in Toronto.
As part of its infrastructure plan, Ontario is investing $190 billion in public infrastructure over 13 years, starting in 2014–15. This represents the largest infrastructure investment in the province’s history to support priority projects across the province such as roads, bridges, public transit, hospitals and schools.