Investing in Glengarry-Prescott-Russell to respond to the impacts of COVID-19

Pictured from left to right: Municipal Councillor Yves Laviolette, Glengarry-Prescott-Russell Liberal MP Francis Drouin, Mayor of the Township of Alfred and Plantagenet Stephane Sarrazin.

Original news release from the Office of Francis Drouin
For immediate release

Investing in Glengarry-Prescott-Russell to respond to the impacts of COVID-19

Lefaivre, Ontario, July 15, 2021— The health and well-being of Canadians are top priorities for the governments of Canada and Ontario. Communities across Canada are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, and need immediate assistance to ensure their municipal and community infrastructure is safe and reliable.

That is why governments have been taking decisive action to support families, businesses and communities, and continue to look ahead to see what more can be done in these unprecedented times.

Today, Francis Drouin, Member of parliament for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, announced joint funding for 11 projects in Glengarry-Prescott-Russell to improve community and municipal infrastructure. This includes construction of a 106-metre rock wall and the renovation of another 110 metres of the rock wall at the Lefaivre marina site in Alfred and Plantagenet, Ontario.

The Government of Canada is investing $948,925 toward these projects through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Ontario is contributing $237,231 to these projects.

On June 2, 2021, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and provincial partners, announced over $99 million to support municipalities in Eastern Ontario as they respond to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 stream, implemented in response to the pandemic, allows Government of Canada to invest up to 80% in projects that support provinces and up to 100% in projects that support territories and Indigenous communities in their response to the pandemic.

Quotes

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the wellbeing of all Canadians. As we continue to battle this crisis, ensuring that residents across Ontario have access to safe and inclusive municipal infrastructure is critical. 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 Honourable Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“These investments in municipal infrastructure in the region demonstrate the federal government's desire to support local communities, create good jobs and promote strong and responsible economic recovery. I am happy that 11 projects were selected in Glengarry-Prescott-Russell and that these benefit our community”
-Francis Drouin, Member of Parliament for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell

“This grant formalizes the start of a long sequence of investments in the Lefaivre waterfront park, which we hope will be an important gathering site in the post-COVID era. It will fill a pressing need for infrastructure capable of countering erosion and ensuring the long life of the site, following the two floods of 2017 and 2019. We also hope to encourage members of our community to resume physical activity and to forge new links, with each other and with nature.”
-Stéphane Sarrazin, Mayor of Alfred and Plantagenet

“The Township of Alfred and Plantagenet is proud to formalize its pied-à-terre on the Ottawa River with the Lefaivre waterfront park. This project marks the first concrete step towards a recognized regional site all along the Ottawa River. We want to be able to make this recreational tourism site an ideal space to enjoy the outdoors all year long.”
-Yves Laviolette, Municipal Councillor of Alfred and Plantagenet

Quick facts

• 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. Ontario is investing $10.2 billion in this program.

• To support Canadians and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, a COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure stream has been added to the over $33-billion Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to help fund pandemic-resilient infrastructure. Existing program streams have also been adapted to include more eligible project categories.

• Through the COVID-19 Resilience stream, over $3 billion is available to provide provinces and territories with added flexibility to fund quick-start, short-term projects.

• Under the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure stream, the federal cost share for public infrastructure projects is 80 per cent in the provinces, and 100 per cent in the territories and for projects intended for Indigenous communities.

• The Government of Canada has invested over $13.9 billion in more than 3,200 infrastructure projects across Ontario under the Investing in Canada plans.

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Backgrounder

Associated links

Investing in COVID-19 Community Resilience
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/covid-19-resilience-eng.html

Canada Healthy Communities Initiative
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/chci-iccs/index-eng.html

Investing in Canada: Canada’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html

Investing in Canada Plan Project Map
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map

Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-on-eng.html#1

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Contacts

Vincent Desmarais-Adam
Executive assistant to the MP
Office of Francis Drouin
Vincent.desmarais-adam.431@pral.gc.ca
613-992-049