logo
#

Latest news with #InvestinginCanadaInfrastructureProgram

Federal and territorial governments invest in expansion to transit fleet in Whitehorse Français
Federal and territorial governments invest in expansion to transit fleet in Whitehorse Français

Cision Canada

timea day ago

  • Business
  • Cision Canada

Federal and territorial governments invest in expansion to transit fleet in Whitehorse Français

WHITEHORSE, YT, July 3, 2025 /CNW/ - The City of Whitehorse will improve their transit system thanks to a combined investment of over $7.8 million from the federal and territorial governments. Ten 40-foot fully accessible buses will be added to the existing fleet in Whitehorse between 2026 and 2028. The City's current fleet consists of 15 low-floor accessible buses that were purchased between 2008 and 2023. New buses will ensure efficiency and maintain service levels while helping to meet the needs of the growing city for residents and visitors. The additional buses will allow opportunities to improve routes, ensure unexpected maintenance can be accommodated, and will maximize the service life of the fleet for the city. Quotes "Expanding the transit fleet in Whitehorse will provide people with more reliable and efficient service for their daily commuting and travel. By increasing accessibility, improving service levels and improving routes, our government is able to support a growing city with sustainable public transit infrastructure into the future." Dr. Brendan Hanley, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Member of Parliament for Yukon "Through this joint investment, we're delivering on our commitment to strengthen transit and active transportation options in partnership with the City of Whitehorse. Thank you to the Government of Canada for their continued support in building vibrant, sustainable, and connected Yukon communities." Richard Mostyn, Minister of Community Services "We are pleased to be working in partnership with the Governments of Canada and Yukon to bolster our transit fleet. Whitehorse is one of the fastest growing cities in Canada and enhancing public transit is key to ensuring the sustainable growth of our community. In recent years, our efforts to enhance transit services has led to record levels of ridership. This funding will ensure we can continue to build on that success and meet the growing needs of our community." Quick Facts The federal government is investing $5,894,443 through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Yukon is investing $1,965,481. Including today's announcement, eight infrastructure projects under the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream have been announced in the Yukon, with a total federal contribution of more than $9.8 million and a total territorial contribution of almost $3.3 million. The new Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) will provide an average of $3 billion a year of permanent funding to respond to local transit needs by enhancing integrated planning, improving access to public transit and active transportation, and supporting the development of more affordable, sustainable, and inclusive communities. The CPTF supports transit and active transportation investments in three streams: Metro Region Agreements, Baseline Funding, and Targeted Funding. Visit the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada website for more information. Associated Links Public Transit Infrastructure Stream Housing and Infrastructure Project Map Strengthened Climate Plan Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn Web: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

Kitchener to get $10M from province for rec complex at RBJ Schlegel Park
Kitchener to get $10M from province for rec complex at RBJ Schlegel Park

Yahoo

time16-06-2025

  • Business
  • Yahoo

Kitchener to get $10M from province for rec complex at RBJ Schlegel Park

A recreation complex under construction in Kitchener is getting a $10-million boost in funding from the province. It's part of a $200-million initiative called Ontario's Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund. Previously, the Kitchener recreation complex at RBJ Schlegel Park had already received $8.1 million through Ontario's Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. Construction started April 2024, operating on previous grants, federal and provincial funding as well as development charge revenues. The money will go primarily toward a multi-purpose quad-gymnasium. So far, work has been done in the field house, aquatic centre and parking lots. In an announcement Monday, Ontario's Minister of Sport Neil Lumsden said that the funding isn't just about sports. "It goes beyond the bricks and mortar ... As families face these rising costs due to tariffs, our government is focused on breaking down barriers so that everyone has an opportunity to participate in sports and recreation," he said. Waterloo and Wilmot will also see some funding, bringing the total amount to $11.8 million for Waterloo region. Waterloo will be given $775,000 to go toward revitalizing the Albert McCormick Community Centre, and $380,000 will go to replacing equipment for ice rinks at the Wilmot Recreation Complex. Kitchener mayor Berry Vrbanovic said the investment will help build the gymnasium's capacity for hosting basketball, volleyball, pickleball, badminton and more. Vrbanovic said the complex was meant to be Kitchener's "premier recreation destination" and the structure is the direct result of "countless hours of planning and work." The final beam for the field house, both ceremonial and structural, was signed by key players in the region before being lifted into the sky by the construction crew at the announcement on Monday. "This really speaks to the power of an all government collaborative commitment to work together to build this great city and region," said Vrbanovic. Vrbanovic said construction was projected to end by 2026. Wilmot and Waterloo funding Lumsden said Wilmot and Waterloo both applied for provincial funding to revitalize parts of their recreation centres and their bids "scored very high" in the process. "For those that didn't, hopefully there's an opportunity for those that didn't get recognition to take advantage of the fund at a later date, maybe in the fall," he said. Wilmot Mayor Natasha Salonen said the almost $380,000 going toward ice rink equipment at the Wilmot Recreation Complex is going to benefit people in the community, like their all-girl hockey team the Wolverines. "Although it's not a very exciting-looking investment ... It is one that's keeping our community connected," Salonen said. "I don't know if you heard, but Wilmot's a little tight for money. So this funding comes very well-received at a good time." Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe acknowledged the long history of the Albert McCormick Community Centre and the significance of the funding, which will go toward accessibility features, roof structure, hockey facilities and washrooms. "There's more we want to do at this facility," she said. Lumsden said the ability to invest in local communities is how Ontario will continue to build its residents up during uncertain economic times by creating healthier habits and giving people better spaces to be active. "The better we are at that, the better our health system is going to be ... sports resonate in so many different ways," he said.

Cost of new buses needs double take, per Whitehorse city staff
Cost of new buses needs double take, per Whitehorse city staff

Hamilton Spectator

time09-05-2025

  • Business
  • Hamilton Spectator

Cost of new buses needs double take, per Whitehorse city staff

Prices are increasing for the City of Whitehorse transit fleet expansion On May 5's standing committee meeting, councillors heard that the city's budget will need to be changed to adjust for a nearly $500,000 price increase on an order for five buses. Originally the budget item was marked down as costing $4,109,924, funded with the federal government's Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program's public transit stream. That initial cost estimate was made in 2024. However, prices have increased beyond what was expected and those five buses now cost $495,000 more. Aside from the now confirmed cost of the buses being higher, the additional $495,000 includes a contingency of 3.5 per cent to buffer against any impacts from tariffs or supply chain issues. The $495,000 would come from the Transit Equipment Reserve, a pot of money that can only be used for public transit purposes. That fund clocked in at $4.7 million as December 31, 2023. More recent numbers won't be available until information for the 2024 fiscal year has been finalized, which will happen in the coming months, as per a city spokesperson. Valerie Braga, the city's director of corporate services, told councillors the fund hasn't been used much in the past because there have previously been easy ways of finding funding for public transit. However, moving forward, it looks like finding that funding will be more difficult, she said. The city's contract for the buses is with Quebec-based Nova Bus, said Richard Graham, the city's manager for fleet and transportation. That said, the company has assembly plans on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border. 'We are fairly confident in the pricing, and we are hopeful that we wouldn't need the 3.5 per cent. The wild card is just what may happen globally in terms of additional costs,' said Graham. 'In terms of the costs from Nova Bus as long as we award within the time limits on the pricing, then that price would be fixed for the delivery.' Two of the buses being ordered are set to replace two buses within the city's fleet. Both of the buses due for replacement are from 2008, with over 1 million kilometres on them each. The remaining three buses on the order would be additional buses to bolster the city's fleet. The transfer payment agreement for the new buses is in the final stages but not yet quite solidified — however, Graham said that it would not be long before the agreements are signed. The buses are currently on appendix B of the budget, which means they're not purchased until there is confirmation of external funding — in this case, the money from the federal government. 'So no purchase order or anything can be written until such point as we get the TPA. But once we do, it moves into Appendix A, and the buses can then be ordered,' said Braga. The buses are currently scheduled to be delivered to the city sometime in 2026 or 2027.

Infrastructure funding top of mind among Sask. urban municipalities
Infrastructure funding top of mind among Sask. urban municipalities

CBC

time14-04-2025

  • Business
  • CBC

Infrastructure funding top of mind among Sask. urban municipalities

Social Sharing The cost of improving and building new local infrastructure — and who will pay for it — has become one of the focuses at this year's annual conference of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA). SUMA president Randy Goulden said the federal government's Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) is already tapped out. "I've talked to so many municipalities, our members, these last few days very concerned because the program, it's allocated fully. There's nothing else coming out and it is essential that we get some funding," Goulden told media during a scrum on on Monday. WATCH| SUMA airing Sask. cities' key election issues: Infrastructure, interprovincial trade: SUMA airing Sask. cities' key election issues 6 hours ago Duration 3:50 The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) is meeting this week for its annual convention. Jean-Marc Nadeau, CEO of SUMA, joined CBC Radio's The Morning Edition to discuss what issues matter to civic leaders this federal election. Goulden stressed that municipalities are not asking for handouts. She said they want to be partners with the federal and provincial governments. "We need those things so that our communities can continue to be sustainable and provide the jobs and the industry and the commerce to make our province healthy, but also to feed everything that the province has to do around health and education," Goulden said. Provincial political leaders respond Held in Saskatoon, this year's SUMA conference featured appearances from Premier Scott Moe and Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck. Moe agreed with Goulden, saying a new infrastructure program should be a priority for whoever forms government after this month's federal election. Moe said inflation has affected every municipality in the province. "We will need a new long-term stable infrastructure funding model so that municipalities can plan, and so that they can cost-share not only with the federal government, but with the provincial levels of government as well," Moe said. Beck said she agrees that the federal government needs to lend a hand, but also accused the provincial government of a lack of action. Beck said she's spoken to many urban officials at SUMA and at other events and heard the same complaint — that the funding the province provides to municipalities isn't enough. "[Municipalities] are responsible for about 60 per cent of the infrastructure in this province, but they have access to only less than $0.10, about $0.08 for every dollar. That is simply not a workable situation without support from other levels of government," Beck said. Moe touted his government's "record increase" in municipal revenue sharing as proof of how serious it takes the issue of infrastructure. In its 2025/2026 budget, the province boosted municipal revenue sharing by $22 million to a total of $362 million. That was a 6.3 per cent increase from the previous year's budget. Moe said that money is disbursed to municipalities with no strings attached and that makes it a "one-of-a-kind program." Goulden thanked the province for that increase. The SUMA president also urged the province to meet with municipalities as soon as the federal election is over to "hit the ground running" and ensure all levels of government are on the same page.

As P.E.I. faces funding drop, road builders urge Ottawa to keep the cash flowing
As P.E.I. faces funding drop, road builders urge Ottawa to keep the cash flowing

CBC

time26-02-2025

  • Business
  • CBC

As P.E.I. faces funding drop, road builders urge Ottawa to keep the cash flowing

Social Sharing Road builders on Prince Edward Island are urging the federal government to keep infrastructure cash flowing into the province, with a deal to fund major road projects approaching its end date. P.E.I.'s latest funding agreement with Ottawa includes roughly $200 million over a 10-year period from the federal government's Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and New Building Canada Fund. That funding is set to end in the next two to three years, and no replacement fund has been set up yet to give reassurance to long-term planners. Mike Annear, with Kings County Construction and the P.E.I. Road Builders Association, says that's startling to workers in the industry — given that the money is being used to meet the province's growing demand for major road projects. The province needs those federal dollars. — Mike Annear "It can be devastating to our industry, and actually to the Island. We'd like to see the budget increase. It's starting to increase in some of the other provinces; we need it to increase to catch up with the growth," he said. "If you start adding all these housing [projects] and these people, we need to increase the amount of money that's going back into our infrastructure. So the province needs those federal dollars." P.E.I. must secure long-term funding, minister says Last week, transportation ministers from across the country met in Quebec with many topics on the agenda — including federal funding. "My provincial and territorial colleagues and I were able to share our concerns with the federal government with regard to transportation infrastructure funding, notably roads," Québec's minister of transport, Geneviève Guilbault, said in a release. P.E.I.'s minister of transportation, Ernie Hudson, echoed that point in a provincial news release Monday, calling on Ottawa to put a new funding model into place. "We must secure stable, long-term federal investment to maintain and improve our system," he was quoted as saying in the news release. The provincial news release noted that when the transportation ministers met, the federal minister pledged to take their funding concerns to the Liberal cabinet. In the province's fall 2024 capital budget, the P.E.I. government estimated it would spend more than $67 million on paving, roads, bridges and more in the next fiscal year. Annear says federal funding is critical to keeping Island roads cared for and creating new roads as P.E.I.'s population grows. Without that commitment, he said it's hard for businesses to plan for the future. "Everything that's going on today, it makes me uneasy," he said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store