Ontario Launching COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream

Over $1 Billion Available to Support Long-Term Care, Education and Municipal Projects

The Voice of Canada News:

The Ontario government is providing up to $1.05 billion in combined federal-provincial funding through the new COVID-19 Resilience infrastructure stream to build or renovate health and safety related projects in long-term care, education and municipalities. The funding is part of the federal government’s Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and reinforces the commitment of both the federal and provincial governments to protect the health and well-being of individuals and families during the pandemic.

Details were provided by Premier Doug Ford, Laurie Scott, Minister of Infrastructure, Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Long-Term Care.

“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,” said Premier Ford. “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. It’s a win-win for the home team.”

Eligible projects under the COVID-19 Resilience stream will fall under four main categories:

• Community, recreation, health and education renovations (e.g. retrofits, repairs or upgrades to long-term care homes, publicly funded schools and co-located childcare centre facilities, recreation 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); and
• Disaster mitigation, adaptation, or remediation (e.g. flood mitigation).

“Ontario recognizes the flexibility the new COVID-19 Resilience stream will provide to communities and organizations,” said Minister Scott. “We’re making it possible for communities to get shovel-ready projects underway sooner so they can kick-start their local economies.”

The COVID-19 Resilience stream will deliver:

• Up to $700 million for education-related projects to be nominated and administered by the Ministry of Education;
• An allocation-based program that will deliver $250 million to municipalities to address critical local infrastructure needs, including $6.5 million that will be directed toward Indigenous and on-reserve education, through the Ministry of Infrastructure in collaboration with the Ministries of Education and Indigenous Affairs; and
• Up to $100 million for long-term care projects to be identified and administered by the Ministry of Long-Term Care.

Eligible projects must begin by September 30, 2021 and be completed by December 31, 2021. Additional details about the COVID-19 Resilience stream and intake opening dates will be available in the days and weeks ahead.

Quick Facts

• The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) is a 10-year, $30-billion federal, provincial and municipal program that provides funding to improve public transit; community, culture and recreation; green; and rural and northern community infrastructure. Ontario is investing $10.2 billion in this program.
• To date, Ontario has nominated 760 projects to the federal government under ICIP, of which more than 390 have been approved.
• The federal COVID-19 Resilience stream has been adapted from ICIP to respond to the impacts of COVID-19. This ICIP stream, delivered through bilateral agreements with provinces and territories, has been designed to help add flexibilities, expand project eligibility and accelerate approvals.
• The COVID-19 Resilience stream will be 80% cost-shared by the federal government and 20% cost-shared by the Province for public infrastructure ― further reinforcing the support being provided to build and renovate health and safety-related projects in long-term care, education and municipalities.
• The Ministry of Education is also investing $1.4 billion in renewal funding, which continues to meet the funding level recommended by the Auditor General of Ontario to preserve the condition of Ontario’s school facilities.

Quotes

“According to the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the reopening of schools has been safe, supported by the most comprehensive safety protocol and largest provincial investment in Canada. We are taking a major step forward by investing further in the safety of our schools, including action to improve air quality and renovate schools, so all students remain safe through this pandemic.”- Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education

“Modernizing long-term care in Ontario continues to be a key priority of our government. This $100 million funding stream will support minor capital projects and renovations, improving quality of life for our loved ones.”– Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Long-Term Care

“Our government has been working closely with our municipal partners to provide them with the tools and resources they need to help keep our communities safe and functioning. The $250 million investment to municipalities under the COVID-19 Resilience stream will help ensure that our communities have strong, reliable infrastructure that meets local needs and helps them adapt to the new environment.”- Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

“The COVID-19 Resilience stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program will help municipal governments invest in infrastructure improvements that keep people safe and make our communities stronger.”- Mayor Graydon Smith, President, Association of Municipalities of Ontario