NEWS RELEASE
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
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Ontario is providing Kapuskasing with up to $2.8 million in funding for infrastructure upgrades through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF). $2 million will be used to upgrade storm and sanitary systems, as well as repairs on Ottawa Street and Nipigon Street.
The province will also provide more than $800,000 over the next three years in predictable, formula-based funding to upgrade and expand local community infrastructure.
Hon. Glenn Thibeault, MPP for Sudbury, on behalf of Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, made the announcement today in Kapuskasing. Support for ten other communities through the OCIF was highlighted at the event, including:
- Cochrane ($736,052)
- Fauquier-Strickland($150,000)
- Hearst ($699,982)
- Iroquois Falls ($231,474)
- Mattice-Val Cote ($150,000)
- Moonbeam ($150,000)
- Opasatika ($150,000)
- Smooth Rock Falls ($355,388)
- Timmins ($1,787,585)
- Val Rita–Harty ($150,000)
Across Northeastern Ontario, 116 communities will receive a total of $58 million over the next three years to support upgrades to critical local infrastructure.
Ontario is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in the province's history – about $160 billion over 12 years, which is supporting 110,000 jobs every year across the province, with projects such as roads, bridges, transit systems, schools and hospitals.
In 2015, the province announced support for more than 475 projects that are helping to keep people and goods moving, connect communities and improve quality of life. To learn more about infrastructure projects in your community, go to Ontario.ca/BuildON.
Investing in municipal infrastructure is part of the government's economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs.
The four-part plan includes helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high- quality college and university education.
The plan is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit in Ontario's history and is investing in a low- carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.
QUOTES
“Investing $2.8 million in Kapuskasing’s roads and bridges will create jobs and opportunity for families and businesses in this community. In total, 116 towns in the Northeast will receive more than $58 million to upgrade community infrastructure. This is further proof that Ontario’s government remains committed to Northeastern Ontario and ensuring our economy is strong.”
— Hon. Glenn Thibeault, Minister of Energy
“On behalf of the residents of Kapuskasing, I would like to thank the Ontario government for their commitment to building and maintaining infrastructure in our city. This kind of predictable funding allows our city make long-term plans to ensure our communities have the infrastructure they require as they continue to grow."
— Al Spacek, Mayor of Kapuskasing
“As a government, we are committed to working with communities across Ontario to provide stable, predictable funding to build and repair priority infrastructure. Investments like this generate significant economic activity in local communities, create jobs and help maintain a strong regional business climate across the province.”
— Hon. Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
QUICK FACTS
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Ontario is tripling its investments through OCIF, from $100 million in 2015-16 to $300 million in 2018-19. Of the $300 million allocated for 2018-19, the province will allocate $100 million for municipalities to apply to invest in crucial infrastructure projects, and $200 million for predictable, formula-based funding.
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Municipalities receive formula funding based on their economic conditions and their infrastructure needs. These funds can be used by communities to upgrade local roads, bridges and water and wastewater facilities. In addition, municipalities now also have the option to bank their funding for up to five years, allowing them more local control over long- term planning and the ability to carry out larger critical infrastructure projects.
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OCIF is part of Moving Ontario Forward, the government’s plan to invest $31.5 billion over 10 years in transit, transportation and other priority infrastructure across the province.
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OCIF supports projects in municipalities with a population of less than 100,000 as of the 2011 census, as well as municipalities that are located in Northern or rural Ontario.
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A 2015 report by the Broadbent Institute and the Centre for Spatial Economics found that, on average, investing $1 in public infrastructure in Canada raises GDP by $1.43 in the short term and up to $3.83 in the long term.
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