Canada and British Columbia invest in infrastructure in the Lower Mainland to create jobs and strengthen communities

DELTA, BC, July 3, 2020 /CNW/ - New investments in community infrastructure by the governments of Canada and British Columbia will benefit Lower Mainland communities while also supporting economic recovery in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic by getting projects underway and meeting communities' needs as they restart their economies. 

These investments will play a key role in strengthening local economies, and helping ensure sure all British Columbians have access to the services and cultural networks they need to build resilient communities.

Today, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion and Member of Parliament for Delta, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality Rural Economic Development; and Ravi Kahlon, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Delta North, on behalf of the Honourable Selina Robinson, B.C. Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, announced funding for 21 projects in the Lower Mainland under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan.

In North Delta, the funding will support a new track facility featuring an eight-lane track with a synthetic surface, and an infield made of natural turf. The new venue will also include field lighting, bleachers, additional parking as well as multi-purpose outdoor courts. This community-focused facility will open up new opportunities for residents to stay healthy, come together, train local athletes, and host athletic events.

In the District of Squamish, a new sea dyke will be built in Xwu'nekw Park on the Mamquam Blind Channel to address increasing flooding due to rising sea levels. This will help keep people's homes safe, protect local businesses, and preserve other essential infrastructure communities rely on daily. The work also includes enhancing the site with a new walkway, landscaping, lighting, trees and benches.

Among the other projects receiving this funding are improvements to community centres, health centres, storm water management, drinking water and wastewater facilities, cultural facilities and social support hubs.

The Government of Canada is investing more than $44.5 million, the Government of British Columbia is contributing over $19.2 million, and the applicants (municipalities, Indigenous communities and not-for-profits) are contributing more than $22.3 million to these projects through the Community, Culture, and Recreation Infrastructure Stream (CCRIS), and the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream (RNIS) of the Investing in Canada Plan.

More than $19.4 million of the federal and provincial funding is going to nine projects in Indigenous communities.

Further announcements of infrastructure investments will follow in the coming months as Canada and British Columbia work together to support jobs, improve our communities, and safely and sustainably restore economic growth.

Quotes

"When we invest in infrastructure projects like the North Delta Track, we are enriching our communities, making them more resilient and inclusive for the future.  Delta families for generations will benefit from the North Delta Track, as it is sure to become a hub of community activity. Delta athletes will be able to train in Delta. Seniors will have a safe and accessible place to walk and gather. Children and families will have more space to play and be active. Our Government understands the important role that sport, recreation and active living play in our communities. We are also investing in infrastructure projects across the Lower Mainland that are working to make communities more resilient to climate change and increasing flood risks, working to improve community and health centres as well as drinking water facilities. We are supporting local economies and investing in the success of Canadians."

The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, and Member of Parliament for Delta on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development

"For years, people in our community have been asking for a new track where they can train, play, and connect with one another. This is an incredible example of what can happen when we work together, and I am so pleased to see our government working with our Federal counterparts to make this a reality."

Ravi Kahlon, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Delta North on behalf of the Honourable Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

Quick facts

• Through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure 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.
• $25.3 billion of this funding is supporting social infrastructure in Canadian communities.
• $2 billion of this funding is supporting infrastructure projects that meet the unique needs of rural and northern communities like facilities to support food security, local access roads and enhanced broadband connectivity. In addition, $400 million is being delivered through the Arctic Energy Fund to advance energy security in the territories.
• The governments of Canada and British Columbia are providing more than $134 million for the first intake of project applications under the Community Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream (CCRIS) of the Investing in Canada Plan, and more than $94 million for the first intake under the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream (RNIS).
• The second intake for both streams was announced on June 25, 2020 with the following funding available from the governments of Canada and British Columbia combined:
• CCRIS: up to $100.6 million
• RNIS: up to $58.7 million
• Information about the programs and applications can be found on the B.C. government website: www.gov.bc.ca/Investing-in-Canada-Infrastructure-Program 

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Backgrounder

Canada and British Columbia invest in infrastructure in the Lower Mainland to create jobs and strengthen communities

Joint federal, provincial and applicant funding through the Investing in Canada Plan will support 21 infrastructure projects in British Columbia's Lower Mainland communities.

The Government of Canada is investing more than $44.5 million through the Community, Culture, and Recreation Infrastructure Stream (CCRIS) and the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream (RNIS). The Government of British Columbia is contributing over $19.2 million, and the applicants (municipalities, Indigenous communities and not-for-profits) are contributing more than $22.3 million.

Of the $63.7 million in federal and provincial funding announced today, $19.4 million will be going to nine projects in Indigenous communities.

CCRIS project information

Community	Project Name	Project Details	Federal Funding	Provincial Funding	Applicant Funding
Bowen Island	Community Centre Project	Construction of a multi-use space for recreational and arts programming that includes a community living room, gallery lounge, multi-purpose room, community kitchen and coffee kiosk, performance arts space, fitness studio and municipal hall offices.	$4,342,520	$3,618,405	$2,895,377
Bridge River Indian Band	Cultural Fish Trail Shelters	Construction of cultural fish trail shelters and seating for Indigenous fish harvesters and others who wish to participate in learning, storytelling and educational excursions.	$210,378	$0	$70,127
Skowkale First Nation	Skowkale First Nation SAY Community Centre	Construction of a community and recreation building that includes a gymnasium, multi-purpose space, weight and fitness room, playground, sports field, entry atrium, cultural space, washrooms and other amenities.	$3,964,230	$0	$1,321,410
Delta	North Delta Track Facility	Replacement of worn athletic track with a new rubberized track and turf field. This project also includes development of two multi-sport courts for racquet sports; upgrades to lighting, parking, bleachers and washrooms; and improvements to site access creating a safer, more enjoyable user experience.	$3,200,000	$2,666,400	$2,133,600
Shxw'ow'hamel First Nation	Shxw'ow'hamel First Nation Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure	Construction of a spray park and playground as well as lighted soccer and slo-pitch fields.	$1,946,250	$0	$648,750
North Vancouver	Grouse Mountain Regional Park  Trail and Amenity Improvements	Upgrades to three well-used trails including: expansion and improvement of plaza area on main trailhead, construction of three secondary trailheads, basic storage facility, and three rest/viewpoints on Grouse Grind Trail.	$1,390,750	$1,158,842	$927,283
Pemberton	Valley Soccer Field and Amenity Building Project	Construction of a new grass soccer field with water well for irrigation, fencing and lighting, and an amenity building with washrooms, change rooms, storage, concession, and commercial kitchen space.	$1,689,762	$1,407,994	$1,126,649
Seabird Island Indian Band	Cultural Education, Community Resource Center and Longhouse	Construction of a new cultural, educational, community resource center and longhouse, including an arts room, kitchen, carving room, open carving shed, accessible washrooms, pow wow grounds and round room.	$2,167,875	$0	$722,625
Sechelt	Accessible Performance Space for Hackett Park	Construction of a multi-use outdoor amphitheatre and performance space in Hackett Park including a performance platform, change rooms, storage and roof structure, and pathways leading to the facility.	$101,200	$84,324	$67,476
Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nation	Spo7ez Cultural Centre and Community Society: Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre Facility Revitalization	Upgrades to the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre including refurbishment of floors and exterior; upgrades to the sound and lighting system and surveillance equipment; and updates to all public-facing interpretive storyboard panels.	$1,471,719	$294,343	$196,231
Stl'atl'imx First Nation	Southern Stl'atl'imx Health Centre Refurbishment Project	Replacement of two trailers with one new trailer to be used as the Southern Stl'atl'Imx Health Centre that supports four First Nations with medical, dental and counselling services. The project includes a lot pad upgrade, converting the new trailer into a health centre, and connecting the new trailer to existing water, septic and electrical services.	$268,815	$0	$89,605
Sunshine Coast	Sunshine Coast Coopers Green Hall Replacement	Construction of a new community hall which will include a large meeting and event space, washrooms, kitchen, storage area, lobby, decks and a mechanical room.	$1,098,400	$915,241	$732,359
Vancouver	The Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House Redevelopment Project	Construction of a new building where the Association of Neighbourhood Houses of B.C. can continue to provide services to Vancouver's Indigenous and vulnerable populations of the Kensington Cedar Cottage community. This project includes spaces for childcare, supportive senior services, meetings, gatherings, administration offices, information technology and outdoor gardening as well as washrooms and a commercial kitchen.	$8,322,042	$5,201,276	$7,281,788
West Vancouver	Ferry Building Restoration Project	Restoration of a 106-year-old ferry building that has served as a community public art gallery and centre for 30 years. The project includes relocating the building, seismic and envelope upgrades, new washrooms, exterior deck, stairs and ramps, installation of a side lift and addition of a basement.	$1,010,360	$841,882	$673,658

RNIS project information

Community	Project Name	Project Details	Federal Funding	Provincial Funding	Applicant Funding
Boston Bar North Bend	Station House, Community Rest-Stop and Museum	Restoration of a historic CN railway station house to create a community rest-stop and a museum to showcase the unique railway and cultural heritage including: interior renovations, facility upgrades to meet codes and standards, ramp access, parking and landscaping.	$1,144,530	$763,020	$0
Gibsons	White Tower Storm Water Pond	Intercepting storm water and re-routing it into the Whitetower Park Storm Water ponds to increase capacity to manage and treat storm water. Works include environmental protection, flow diversion, construction of headwall, weir/orifice plate, installation of water-quality treatment system, installation of storm and sewer piping as well as manholes/catch basins.	$573,000	$382,000	$0
Leq'á:mel First Nation	Leq'á:mel Cultural Centre	Construction of a longhouse and smokehouse to serve as a cultural centre and a place to provide education and outreach services on the Skweahm reserve. The facility will include a kitchen, bathrooms, carving shed, demonstration and canning building, smokehouse, drying racks, outdoor gathering space tool shed, and storage.	$1,800,000	$0	$600,000
N'Quatqua First Nation	N'Quatqua Multi-use Facility	Construction of a multi-use facility to replace the existing building, which will include a community hall, kitchen, offices, fitness centre and cultural chamber to accommodate community gatherings and recreational activities.	$4,463,366	$0	$1,487,789
Squamish	Xwu'nekw Park Sea Dike at Mamquam Blind Channel	Construction of a 200-metre sea dyke at the Xwu'nekw Park at Mamquam Blind Channel to provide flood protection for businesses and homes located in downtown Squamish. The project will install sheet pile wall, concrete reinforcement, C-channel and anchors, as well as improvements to the foundation and site including walkway, topsoil, grading, hydroseeding, lighting, trees, and benches.	$2,249,932	$1,799,946	$449,987
Squamish-Lillooet	Jack Webster Bridge Replacement, SLRD Electoral Area "D"	Replacement of the Jack Webster Bridge with a new two-lane bridge over Culliton Creek, including road surface realignment, installation of signage, line painting, and demarcation of pedestrian and trail use component.	$234,538	$156,360	$0
Yale First Nation	Recreation Centre	Construction of a multi-purpose building that includes a gymnasium, outdoor play area, washrooms, change rooms, youth worker space, community kitchen, fitness centre and meeting room.	$2,906,988	$0	$968,997

Province opens applications for infrastructure funding to build stronger communities: https://news.gov.bc.ca/22503 

Associated links

Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan:
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html

Government of Canada takes action on COVID-19:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/canadas-reponse/government-canada-takes-action-covid-19.html 

Investing in Canada Plan Project Map:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map

Federal infrastructure investments in British Columbia:
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/investments-2002-investissements/bc-eng.html

BC's Restart Plan: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/bc-restart-plan

Government of British Columbia's Infrastructure program:
www.gov.bc.ca/Investing-in-Canada-Infrastructure-Program 

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Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

Chantalle Aubertin, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-949-1759, [email protected]; Media Relations, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, 778-584-1255, [email protected]; Media Relations, Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]

Related Links

www.infrastructure.gc.ca