Government investment sees $2.2M for Kingston infrastructure

More than $22.2 million is being invested by the federal and provincial governments aimed at protecting the health, and well-being of residents in 130 municipalities throughout eastern Ontario.

The Government of Canada is investing over $17.7 million in municipalities through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan. The Government of Ontario is contributing more than $4.4 million.

According to a joint release from the two levels of government and the City of Kingston, communities across Canada are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and need immediate assistance to ensure their public infrastructure is safe and reliable.

Details were provided by Mark Gerretsen, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; Stephen Crawford, Parliamentary Assistant to Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure and Member of Provincial Parliament for Oakville, on behalf of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure; and His Worship Bryan Paterson, Mayor of the City of Kingston.

“Today’s investments will allow thousands of residents in 130 communities across eastern Ontario to have safe and reliable access to important community infrastructure for years to come,” said Mark Gerretson, MP for Kingston and the Islands, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “By investing 80 cents on every dollar toward the important projects initiated by municipalities, the Government of Canada is responding to the immediate pressures and concerns of communities as a result of the pandemic. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds stronger, more resilient communities.”

The City of Kingston will receive $1,838,575 from the federal government and $459,644 from the province. These funds, at a total just shy of $2.3M, will go toward improvements to the Rideaucrest Long-term Care Facility. According to the release, the city will improve building accessibility and resident safety by upgrading the facility’s washrooms and elevators. Funding will also support the replacement of play structures in four city parks, providing safe and reliable recreational infrastructure for years to come.

“We’re pleased to see this investment in infrastructure and for the City’s long-term care home in particular,” said Mayor Bryan Paterson. “This funding will benefit our community now and into the future. Investments in infrastructure will be super important as we begin to consider recovery from the pandemic.”

The funding announced today will support upgrades to improve and protect important municipal buildings such as town centres and emergency and healthcare facilities, according to the release. Additional investments will rehabilitate recreational and community infrastructure across eastern Ontario, and include improvements to local trail and pedestrian path systems. The governments said these investments will provide thousands of residents with access to modern recreational infrastructure where they can safely maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.

Neighbouring municipalities will be funded as follows:

For full funding details, visit the Government of Canada’s backgrounder for this investment response.

The COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream, implemented in response to the pandemic, allows the Government of Canada to invest up to 80 per cent of total eligible costs for projects in provinces, and up to 100 per cent for projects in territories and Indigenous communities, according to the release. The Ontario government will invest 20 per cent of the eligible costs for projects across the province.