Municipal Affairs
May 20, 2016

Federal-Provincial Partnership Strengthens Communities

Over $24 Million Available for Cost-Shared Municipal Infrastructure

Twenty-eight municipal infrastructure projects in Newfoundland and Labrador, valued at $24.4 million, will be moving forward immediately, thanks in part to the federal Small Communities Fund. These are the first projects to be cost-shared under the program since the Provincial and Federal Governments signed an agreement in March.

The announcement was made today (Friday, May 20) at the Conception Bay South Town Hall by the Honourable Judy Foote, federal Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Burin-Trinity, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and by the Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs for Newfoundland and Labrador. Steve Tessier, Mayor of the Town of Conception Bay South, was also in attendance.

"In Budget 2016, our Government made an unprecedented commitment of more than $120 billion to support public infrastructure projects across Canada. Working in partnership with Newfoundland and Labrador's provincial and municipal governments we are targeting smart infrastructure investments to produce long-term prosperity, grow the middle class, and strengthen communities. By supporting projects such as these we are building 21st-century communities and ensuring a high quality of life for generations to come."
- The Honourable Judy Foote, Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Burin-Trinity, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

Of the $24.4 million in projects approved for funding to date, the Federal Government is contributing $8.1 million, the Provincial Government is contributing just over $11 million, and the remainder will be cost-shared by the municipalities. See the backgrounder below for a complete list of projects funded to date.

"Today we embark on a new partnership with the federal government which provides Newfoundland and Labrador with more funding for infrastructure projects in small communities. Accessing federal funding under the Small Communities Fund is of significant advantage, as it enables available provincial funds to be spent on even more projects, in more communities. This is an excellent example of what can be achieved when all levels of government work together to achieve a common goal."
- The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs

The Small Communities Fund will provide $34.9 million in municipal infrastructure funding to Newfoundland and Labrador over the next several years.

One of the recipients of project funding is the Town of Conception Bay South, which will receive $669,026 to help fund improvements to Legion Road.

"Upgrades to our existing roads are important to the enhancement of our town and the safety of everyone who lives here - or visits here. We are delighted that changes to the eligibility criteria for the Small Communities Fund now allow funding for municipal roads. This is of benefit to our town, and I suspect to many municipalities throughout the province."
- Steve Tessier, Mayor, Town of Conception Bay South

The $1 billion Small Communities Fund supports priority infrastructure projects in communities across the country with less than 100,000 residents. To learn more about the Small Communities Fund, visit: www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/sc-cp-eng.html . For additional information on the New Building Canada Plan, visit: www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nbcp-npcc-eng.html .

QUICK FACTS

• Twenty-eight cost-shared municipal infrastructure projects in Newfoundland and Labrador, valued at $24.4 million, will move forward in the coming weeks, thanks in part to the Small Communities Fund component of the New Building Canada Fund.
• These are the first projects to be cost-shared under the program since the Provincial and Federal Governments signed an agreement in March.
• The agreement will enable the Provincial Government to access $34.9 million in federal funding from the Small Communities Fund over the next several years.
• Over the next four years, the Provincial Government will invest about $344 million for new and existing municipal infrastructure projects, which will leverage over $146 million in federal funding.
• With municipal contributions included, the result is a $625 million investment in municipal infrastructure.

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BACKGROUNDER
Small Communities Fund Recipients

The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador have announced funding for 28 projects in communities throughout the province under the Small Communities Fund. These are the first projects to be cost-shared under the program in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The total cost of the projects is over $24 million, with the Federal Government providing $8 million and the Provincial Government providing $11 million. Recipient communities will be responsible for the remaining project costs.

2016 05 20                              1:20 p.m.