Canada and Nova Scotia to make significant investments that will improve the lives of Canadians

Over $828 million available for projects that build prosperous communities and transition to a clean growth economy

HALIFAX, April 10, 2018 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Nova Scotia are working together to make long-term infrastructure investments that will create economic growth and jobs for the middle class, build inclusive communities and support a low carbon, green economy–leading to a higher quality of life for all Canadians.

Today, the Honourable Scott Brison, Member of Parliament for Kings–Hants, and President of the Treasury Board, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Stephen McNeil, Premier of Nova Scotia, announced the signing of a new bilateral agreement under the Investing in Canada plan that will provide more than $828 million in federal funding over the next decade for infrastructure projects in Nova Scotia. The projects supported through this agreement will be cost-shared with the provincial government, municipalities and other partners.

The Investing in Canada plan will see the Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia make unprecedented investments in public transit, green infrastructure, recreational and cultural infrastructure, and rural and northern communities infrastructure.

These investments will make a positive difference in communities across the province, including:

• faster commute and travel time for more people, and easier movement of goods for businesses
• cleaner air and water
• reduced greenhouse gas emissions
• smarter and more efficient cities
• sustainable water management
• enhanced public parks, recreational facilities and other spaces that make communities great places to live
• better transportation and digital infrastructure for people living in remote communities

Across Canada, more than $33 billion in federal funding will be invested through these new bilateral agreements with provinces and territories. Provinces and territories will develop three-year plans that will provide information on how they will implement their infrastructure projects.

Quotes

"Long-term investments in infrastructure are key to building a strong Canada–connecting people, creating good jobs for the middle class, and building our economy and our communities for the future. We are pleased to reach a new agreement with Nova Scotia to invest in infrastructure projects that will provide further growth and economic opportunities for cities and smaller rural communities for years to come. Collaboration and partnership have been at the heart of the success of our Investing in Canada plan and we will continue to work with provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous communities, stakeholders, and Canadians from coast to coast to coast."  

The Honourable Scott Brison, Member of Parliament for Kings–Hants, and President of the Treasury Board, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Participation in the Investing in Canada infrastructure program is a great opportunity to enhance our province's public infrastructure. From building a better transportation system to improving our water systems to supporting arts and culture, this investment will create good jobs and build our economy and communities for the future. We look forward to working closely with our federal partners to make strategic investments that will benefit Nova Scotians."

The Honourable Stephen McNeil, Premier of Nova Scotia

Quick facts 

• Under the Investing in Canada 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.
• Under the first phase of the plan, Infrastructure Canada has approved nearly 3,500 projects across Canada worth a combined investment of more than $8.4 billion.
• As part of the Plan, Infrastructure Canada will deliver $33 billion over the next decade through new bilateral agreements with provinces and territories under four funding streams:
• $20.1 billion for public transit;
• $9.2 billion for green infrastructure;
• $1.3 billion for community, cultural and recreational infrastructure; and
• $2 billion for wide-ranging infrastructure needs in rural and northern communities.
• This marks the seventh new long-term infrastructure agreement the Government of Canada has signed with provincial and territorial partners.

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Backgrounder

Canada and Nova Scotia to make significant investments that will improve the lives of Canadians
Over $828 million available for projects that build prosperous communities and transition to a clean growth economy

Under the $180 billion Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is signing new bilateral agreements with all provinces and territories, which will see more than $33 billion in federal investment in infrastructure projects across the country. The objective of these investments is to transform the way Canadians live, move and work in four priority areas:

• Public transit;
• Green infrastructure;
• Community, culture, and recreation infrastructure; and
• Rural and northern communities.

Nova Scotia will receive a total of $828,493,161 from 2018-2028 through this agreement.

Allocations by funding

Funding Stream	Allocation	Expected Outcomes at Project Completion*
Public Transit	$289,589,324 to build new urban transit networks and service extensions that will transform the way Canadians live, move and work.	Improved capacity of public transit infrastructure Improved quality and safety of existing and future transit systems Improved access to public transit systems
Green Infrastructure	$381,914,606 to support greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reductions; enable greater adaptation and resilience to the impacts of climate change and climate-related disaster mitigation, and ensure that more communities can provide clean air and safe drinking water for their citizens.	Increased capacity to manage more renewable energy Increased access to clean energy transportation Increased energy efficiency of buildings Increased generation of clean energy Increased structural capacity and increased natural capacity to adapt to climate change impacts, natural disasters and extreme weather events Increased capacity to treat and manage wastewater and stormwater Increased access to potable water Increased capacity to reduce or remediate soil and air pollutants
Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure	$51,245,475 towards community, culture and recreation infrastructure to build stronger communities and improve social inclusion.	Improved access to and increased quality of community, cultural and recreational infrastructure for Canadians, including Indigenous Peoples and vulnerable populations
Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure	$105,743,756 to support projects that improve the quality of life in rural and northern communities by responding to rural and northern specific needs.	Improved food security Improved and more reliable road, air and marine infrastructure Improved broadband connectivity More efficient and reliable energy Improved education and health facilities that benefit Indigenous peoples (specific to Truth and Reconciliation Commission)

* Outcomes will be obtained through projects which will be communicated in more details as they are announced.

The bilateral agreements will allow the Government of Canada and the provinces and territories to agree on shared results as well as a method of reporting on results on a regular basis. The bilateral agreements support the following long-term results:

• Increase the rate of economic growth in an inclusive and sustainable way;
• Improve environmental quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase resiliency of communities;
• Improve mobility in Canadian communities;
• Make Canadian communities more inclusive and accessible; and
• Manage infrastructure in a more sustainable way.

Under these new bilateral agreements, the Government of Canada will not only make significant investments in Canadian communities, but also open the door to unique and innovative project ideas that meet the agreed-upon outcomes. These new ideas will contribute to the long-term sustainability of our infrastructure.

To ensure our partners consider opportunities to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions or better adapt to climate change during the project development stage, a new climate lens will be applied for certain projects. Partners will also report on how larger projects are creating job opportunities for a broader array of Canadians in the construction industry and related sectors through a new Community Employment Benefits framework.

For information on cost-sharing, please see Infrastructure Canada's website.

Associated links

Government of Canada's $180-billion+ Investing in Canada plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/about-invest-apropos-eng.html

*New* – Investing in Canada plan project map: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html

Federal infrastructure investments in Nova Scotia: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/ns-eng.html

Twitter: @INFC_eng 
Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

Brook Simpson, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-219-0149, [email protected]; Marla MacInnis, Communications Advisor, Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, 902-499-6428, [email protected]; Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/