The governments of Canada and Ontario recognize the different ways that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected smaller communities across the province. While moving towards recovery, investments in infrastructure in rural and northern Ontario are vital to successful, sustainable communities and their economies.

 “Investments in roads and bridges improve safety and reliability for residents. We are proud to support these rural projects that will create jobs and ensure Canadian communities remain among the best places to live, work, and raise a family.”

Tim Louis, Member of Parliament for Kitchener–Conestoga, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development

“By investing in projects like these, we are helping to create jobs and improve the lives of residents in these rural and First Nations communities. These “shovel ready” projects can help drive local economic development and move people and goods safely and effectively.”

The Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure 

“The Township of Wilmot is appreciative of our partners at the federal government for providing funding toward the replacement of Bridge Street Bridge. This investment is critical to ensuring the longevity of this structure, as a thoroughfare for east-west travel, ensuring safe and efficient movement of large farming equipment, in addition to general traffic flow. I want to express thanks to MP Louis for his team’s support with this initiative. We continue to look for opportunities to share in key infrastructure initiatives to drive our local, provincial and national economy forward, as we work together to safely re-open our economy.”

His Worship Les Armstrong, Mayor of the Township of Wilmot

“Bridge 13 plays an important role in accessing the villages of Chepstow and Cargill, the subdivisions and buildings within each community, as well as the Fritzall Construction Services expansion. In addition, Concession 8 in Greenock has higher traffic volumes as a route to Bruce Power. Replacing the bridge will address health and safety and drainage concerns, and allow for the construction of a sidewalk to assist with resident safety. This is an exciting project for the village of Chepstow and community of Brockton.”

His Worship Chris Peabody, Mayor of Brockton

“West Grey is committed to investing in our infrastructure and fostering partnerships for the betterment of our community. Thank you to the federal and provincial governments for greenlighting this important project in West Grey. The Lantz Bridge reconstruction signals West Grey’s commitment to addressing our infrastructure needs, while showing that partnerships with all orders of government are essential in building vibrant and safe communities.”

Her Worship Christine Robinson, Mayor of West Grey

• 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.

• $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.

• Ontario is investing $10.2 billion under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to improve public transit; community, culture and recreation; green, and rural and northern community infrastructure.

• The Rural Economic Development Strategy leverages ongoing federal investments and provides a vision for the future, identifying practical steps to take in the short term, and serving as a foundation to guide further work.

• Central to Canada’s Connectivity Strategy are historic new investments that are mobilizing up to $6 billion toward universal connectivity. They include a top-up to the Connect to Innovate Program, a new Universal Broadband Fund, and investments from the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

• Across Ontario, the Government of Canada has invested more than $2.5 billion in infrastructure under the Investing in Canada Plan.

• On June 3, 2020, Ontario announced it was investing $150 million to launch the Improving Connectivity in Ontario program to fund broadband infrastructure projects in rural, remote and underserved regions of Ontario. This is part of the province's $315 million initiative Up to Speed: Ontario's Broadband and Cellular Action Plan.

Related products

• Backgrounder: Canada and Ontario invest in roads and bridges in rural communities in Western Ontario

Associated links

• Government of Canada Resources - Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
• Ontario COVID-19 Resources
• Investing in Canada Plan Project Map
• Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario
• Investing in Canada: Canada’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan
• Rural Opportunity, National Prosperity: An Economic Development Strategy for Rural Canada
• Connecting Ontario: improving broadband and cellular access
• Ontario Builds Project Map

Marie-Pier Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development
613-295-8123
marie-pier.baril@cfc-swc.gc.ca

Christine Bujold
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure
416-454-1782
christine.bujold@ontario.ca

Sofia Sousa-Dias
Communications Branch
Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure
437-991-3391 
sofia.Sousa-Dias@ontario.ca

Kelly Baird
Communications Specialist
Township of Wilmot
519-634-8519 ext. 229
Kelly.baird@wilmot.ca

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