Canada and Prince Edward Island to make significant investments that will improve the lives of Canadians

Supporting new projects that build prosperous communities and transition to a clean growth economy

CHARLOTTETOWN, Aug. 16, 2018 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island are working together to make long-term infrastructure investments that will create economic growth and well-paid middle-class jobs, build inclusive communities, and support a low carbon, green economy–leading to a higher quality of life for all Canadians.

Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable H. Wade MacLauchlan, Premier of Prince Edward Island; and the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and Member of Parliament for Cardigan announced the signing of a new bilateral agreement under the Investing in Canada plan that will provide more than $366 million in federal funding over the next decade for infrastructure projects. 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 Prince Edward Island make unprecedented investments in green infrastructure, recreational and cultural infrastructure, rural and northern community infrastructure, and public transit.

These investments will make a positive difference in communities, such as:

• 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
• faster commute and travel time for more people, and easier movement of goods for businesses

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 creating jobs and new opportunities for the middle class, as well as laying the groundwork for sustainable, long-term economic growth in Canada. I am very pleased to join Prince Edward Island today for the signing of this agreement as part of our Investing in Canada plan. Islanders will enjoy safer roads and highways, improved water and wastewater facilities, and will benefit from new green infrastructure. These investments will build strong, resilient and inclusive communities that will remain competitive in today's economy and over the next century."

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Our government values the strength of our partnership with the federal government and our common goal to help Canadians grow, prosper, and thrive. This new agreement will ensure Prince Edward Island remains the Mighty Island by focusing on what matters most, such as creating jobs, getting our products to markets near and far, and building stronger communities for all Islanders."

The Honourable H. Wade MacLauchlan, Premier of Prince Edward Island

"Infrastructure development is vital to the health and wellbeing of all those living and working on Prince Edward Island. When the Government of Canada invests in infrastructure, we are investing in Canadians and making a difference in people's daily lives. This new funding will provide Islanders with clean and reliable drinking water, increased green infrastructure, improved health and recreational opportunities, and more reliable community services."

The Honourable Minister Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and Member of Parliament for Cardigan

"Through collaboration with the federal government and our communities, we are showing once again why Prince Edward Island is mighty. I look forward to the many advances we will be able to achieve in the priority areas of public transit, green infrastructure, culture, recreation, and rural development. We use our small size to our advantage, working together to make big things happen."

The Honourable Paula Biggar, Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy

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 over 3,540 projects across Canada worth a combined investment of more than $9.9 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 eleventh new long-term infrastructure agreement the Government of Canada has signed with provincial and territorial partners.

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Backgrounder

Canada and Prince Edward Island to make significant investments that will improve the lives of Canadians
Supporting new 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:

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

Prince Edward Island will receive a total of $366,977,323 from 2018-2028 through this agreement.

Allocations by funding stream

Funding Stream	Allocation	Expected Outcomes at Project Completion*
Green Infrastructure	$228,147,387 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	$29,060,925 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	$82,705,236 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)
Public Transit	$27,063,775 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

* 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

Investing in Canada - Canada's long-term infrastructure plan:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/about-invest-apropos-eng.html

Federal infrastructure investments in Prince Edward Island:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/pe-eng.html

Twitter: @INFC_eng 
Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

Kate Monfette, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-301-0894, [email protected]; Katie MacDonald, Senior Communications Officer, Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy, Government of Prince Edward Island, 902-314-3996, [email protected]; Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]

Related Links

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