Thanks to federal, provincial, municipal and United Way Toronto investments
Toronto, Ontario, October 25, 2013 –Government representatives, community leaders, and local residents gathered today to celebrate the official opening of the United Way Toronto's Rexdale Community Hub. Eleven partner agencies offer community support services at the Hub, including the Rexdale Community Health Centre. Formerly a secondary school, the 77,000-square-foot facility is the largest United Way Toronto hub built to date. It boasts community and multi-purpose meeting space, a gymnasium and stage area, and three community kitchens. The building's restoration included constructing a new roof, new windows, new barrier free washrooms, installing a new heating and cooling system, and other improvements.
"The Rexdale Community Hub provides one-stop shopping for a broad range of social services and programs, and offers community-accessible space for local residents, making a real difference in their daily lives,"
said the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec. "Our Government is proud to have invested in this project that has not only created local jobs but will also deliver much-needed resources to Rexdale neighbourhood residents for years to come."
"Investing in community infrastructure like this is part of the Ontario government's plan to support communities across Ontario, grow the economy and create jobs,"
said Donna Cansfield, Member of Provincial Parliament for Etobicoke Centre. "By helping the United Way build its largest hub to date, we're playing an important role in addressing the community's needs and improving residents' everyday lives."
"The Rexdale Community Hub is a great place for people to meet, exchange ideas and to learn about their neighbours and neighbourhood,"
said Toronto Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly (Ward 40 Scarborough—Agincourt). "I can see that many resourceful, creative talents will be nurtured here. There is no telling what may be accomplished when you have a space like the Rexdale Community Hub."
"Today is a great day to celebrate the hard work, dedication and generosity of all the community members and partners that made this Hub a reality,"
said Susan McIsaac, President and CEO, United Way Toronto. "Together we are supporting vital services and programs to build a stronger and more vibrant community for people and families in Rexdale."
"This is a much anticipated event and a wonderful day for Rexdale residents,"
said Safia Ahmed, Chair of the Rexdale Community Hub Board. "The Rexdale Community Hub is an investment in building a strong community, a place where people want to live and raise families. It is a community based facility where residents of all ages can go to get connected to accessible and coordinated services."
The governments of Canada and Ontario each contributed $2.73 million toward the $8.19 million in total eligible project costs through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. The City of Toronto, United Way Toronto, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and Legal Aid Ontario contributed the remaining $2.73 million. The City of Toronto and the United Way Toronto will provide the remaining funds to cover the total renovation cost of $13.29 million.
Canada's Economic Action Plan 2013 is delivering a New Building Canada Plan to build roads, bridges, subways, commuter rail, and other public infrastructure in cooperation with provinces, territories, and municipalities. Thanks to the Government of Canada's leadership and our strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Canada has been a leader among G-7 countries throughout the recovery with more than 1 million net new jobs created since July 2009. The New Building Canada Plan, combined with other federal infrastructure investments, will support Canada's infrastructure advantage, a key enabler of economic growth and job creation.
These investments support the Ontario government's economic plan to invest in people, invest in infrastructure and support a dynamic and innovative business climate. Since 2003, Ontario has invested approximately $85 billion in infrastructure. Building modern, efficient infrastructure has created or preserved close to 100,000 jobs each year, on average, making Ontario's economy more productive and improving quality of life, now and in the future.
For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure visit Infrastructure Canada or follow us on Twitter at @INFC_eng.
For more information on how Ontario is revitalizing its infrastructure, visit Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure.
For more information about United Way Toronto, visit United Way Toronto.
Marie-Josée Paquette (Disponible en français)
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and
Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
613-943-1838
Bryan Bossin
Press Secretary
Office of the Ontario Minister of Rural Affairs
416-326-3072
Ross Bryant
City of Toronto Strategic Communications
Communications and Marketing Consultant
Cell: 416-896-2017
Email: Bryant@toronto.ca
Michelle Yao
Senior Manager, Communications
United Way Toronto
Cell: 416-557-8508
Email: myao@uwgt.org
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251 or toll-free 1-877-250-7154
