Safe Restart Agreement helps Canadian communities get back on their feet
The Voice of Canada News:
Toronto, Ontario— Helping communities build back up from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is a key part of the Safe Restart Agreement between the federal government and the Provinces and Territories.
Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, announced that up to $2 billion in federal funding will be made available to cities and towns across Canada. The funding will support front line workers and critical municipal services as we keep people safe during the economic restart. Provincial and territorial governments will continue to support municipalities, and will cost-match federal supports with investments made this fiscal year.
And to help cities keep their transit systems running so that Canadians can get to work and home to their families safely, the Government of Canada has also agreed to match approximately $1.8 billion of provincial and territorial funding to support local public transit. For Ontario this will mean an additional $1 billion in federal transit funding, Minister McKenna announced.
Essential, front-line workers need good public transit, parents need child care, public health must be able to track and contain disease outbreaks, everyone requires personal protective equipment, and vulnerable communities – including seniors – need enhanced support as Canada gradually reopens while containing the spread of COVID-19.
These practical and essential services delivered by cities and towns across the country are among the seven priority areas in the $19-billion Safe Restart Agreement announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on July 16.
Canada is also committed to a safe municipal build up through our infrastructure plan, which is resulting in thousands of projects, creating jobs across the country and building stronger communities.
Quotes
“People need critical frontline services, including public transit, to get safely back to work and build back up our economy. Canada’s cities and towns provide those services. There’s no recovery without a municipal recovery. If our cities aren’t running, our economy isn’t running. The Safe Restart Agreement will help Canada get back on track.”-
The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
