OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 16, 2020 /CNW/ - As we continue to adapt to the new physical, social and economic realities presented by COVID-19, all orders of government are working together to ensure the safety and well-being Canadians. This includes providing local communities with tools and support for evidence-based decision-making that will help them plan a healthier, safer and more prosperous future for everyone.
That's why the Government of Canada is investing $50,000 today in a project in Nova Scotia through the Municipal Asset Management Program (MAMP), delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities on behalf of the federal government.
The program aims to strengthen infrastructure investment decisions based on reliable data and sound asset management practices through asset management training, funding and information sharing.
The Municipality of the County of Richmond will develop an asset management policy and roadmap to guide asset management implementation. The project includes preparing an inventory of all major assets (water distribution, sewer, storm water, roads network and major municipal-owned buildings and structures). Data will be presented in spreadsheet format and entered on a desktop computer geographic information system (GIS) with an easy-to-use web mapping application. Training will be provided for staff for the data and the GIS system. State of infrastructure reports on life expectancy, condition and replacement costs of each major asset group will also be prepared.
Quotes
"This investment provides the municipality of Richmond with the tools and training it needs to plan, build and maintain its water distribution, sewers, roads and other infrastructure now and for years to come. The COVID-19 health crisis has reinforced the importance of effective and modern infrastructure that support safe, sustainable and healthy communities. With a clear line of sight on their long-term needs, local governments will be able to make sound investment decisions on projects that contribute to cleaner, more livable communities for their children and grandchildren. Canada's infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country and builds stronger communities."
The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
"Rural communities are the backbone of the Canadian economy and among the best places in Canada to call home. Smart investments in infrastructure help smaller communities to grow, strengthen their economies and improve quality of life for their residents. Through projects like this one announced today, our government is helping to ensure that local leaders, especially those in rural areas, have the tools they need to plan for the long-term and creating stronger rural communities now and for generations to come."
The Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development
"The Government of Canada is proud to invest in asset management projects like this one in Richmond. Strengthening the municipality's capacity to make informed decisions about its infrastructure will help grow the local economy and improve the quality of life for Nova Scotians for years to come."
Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Halifax
"Municipalities are Canada's builders. With responsibility over two-thirds of our public infrastructure—and as the governments closest to daily life for Canadians across the country—local leaders are building strong, vibrant, and sustainable communities. That's why having access to the right tools and information at the local level is so important. It's how we're able to build better lives."
Garth Frizzell, President, Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Quick facts
- The Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities announce support for a new asset management initiative in Nova Scotia:
- Municipality of the County of Richmond - Asset management implementation - Phase 1: $50,000
- The $110-million Municipal Asset Management Program, delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and funded by the Government of Canada, has invested in more than 663 municipal asset management projects.
- To support Canadians and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new stream has been added to the over $33-billion Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to help fund pandemic-resilient infrastructure. Existing program streams have also been adapted to include more eligible project categories.
- The COVID-19 Resilience Stream will help other orders of governments whose finances have been significantly impacted by the pandemic by increasing the federal cost share for public infrastructure projects in a variety of areas including disaster mitigation and adaptation projects and pandemic-resilient infrastructure.
- Furthermore, the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative will provide up to $31 million in existing federal funding to help communities adapt spaces and services in response to immediate and ongoing coronavirus-related needs over the next two years.
Associated links
Municipal Asset Management Program
Infrastructure in your Community
Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan
Investing in Canada plan project map
Speech from the Throne: A stronger and more resilient Canada
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada
SOURCE Infrastructure Canada
Chantalle Aubertin, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-941-0660, [email protected]; FCM Media Relations: 613-907-6395, [email protected]; Infrastructure Canada: 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]
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