The province and the feds are partnering to provide over a billion dollars to support infrastructure projects in Ontario.
Ontario Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark says the money will be invested in upgrades to municipal and provincial buildings, schools and long-term care homes.
Clark adds daycares, libraries, playgrounds and transportation projects will also benefit.
Included in the announcement is a promise to build 30,000 new long term care beds across the province.
Premier Doug Ford says “Getting shovels in the ground on new infrastructure projects across the province will be a critical component of our path to long-term economic recovery. Not only will this investment help communities build the necessary infrastructure to keep Ontarians safe and healthy, but these projects will create hundreds of local construction jobs and support local businesses and suppliers.”
Eligible projects fall under four main categories:
-Community, recreation, health and education renovations (e.g. retrofits, repairs or upgrades to long-term care home, publicly funded schools and co-located childcare centre facilities, renovation centres or shelters)
-COVID-19 response infrastructure (e.g. heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, new builds or renovations to enable physical distancing)
-Active transportation (e.g. parks, trails)
-Disaster mitigation, adaptation, or remediation (e.g. flood mitigation)
Eligible projects must begin by September 30, 2021 and be completed by December 31, 2021.
(With files from Kevin Jeffrey)
