Province supports economic growth and job creation with additional funding for critical infrastructu

SAFA KHAN, Office of MPP Bethlenfalvy

UXBRIDGE: The Ontario government is providing $1,945,739 to help build and repair local infrastructure in the City of Pickering and $811,112 to help build and repair local infrastructure in the Township of Uxbridge. This investment is part of the government’s plan to build Ontario by getting shovels in the ground on critical infrastructure projects that support economic recovery, growth and job creation.

“This is great news for our community, our government has more than doubled the amount municipalities like the City of Pickering will receive for critical infrastructure repairs,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge. “The investments our communities make in their infrastructure needs through the OCIF program will support economic growth, create local jobs, and continue our recovery from COVID-19”. “Thank-you to Minister Bethlenfalvy for continuing to advocate for us at the Province,” said Dave Barton, Mayor of Uxbridge.

“On behalf of the Region of Durham, I am thrilled to see this significant investment from the Provincial Government towards our rural community infrastructure in the City of Pickering and the Township of Uxbridge. It is great to see that our partners share the same commitment to supporting the rural communities in Durham that we do. Our northern and rural residents are a vital part of what makes Durham Region the best place to call home, and this funding will go a long way to ensuring that they continue to receive top-tier services and infrastructure,” said Chair John Henry.

“Today’s announcement is part of the government’s additional $1 billion investment to help build and repair roads, bridges, water and wastewater infrastructure in small, rural and northern communities. The multi-year funding is being delivered through the Ontario Community” stated Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge. “Our small, rural and northern communities will be at the forefront of our efforts to build Ontario for the future,” said Premier Doug Ford. “With this investment, we are saying ‘yes’ to helping these communities build and repair the vital infrastructure they need to keep their communities working for decades to come.”

Funding allocations will be based on a formula that recognizes the different needs and economic conditions of communities across the province. The new formula will include an increased funding minimum of $100,000 for all communities per year, up from $50,000 over previous years.

“Communities are the heartbeat of this province and we know they are facing unique infrastructure needs and challenges, especially as we navigate through the pandemic,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “Our government has been with them every step of the way. When we were told more funding supports were needed, we listened and acted in a meaningful way by providing the largest OCIF increase since the start of the program. By doing so, we’re providing stability and predictability to small, rural and northern communities to repair, upgrade, and modernize their critical infrastructure so that they are safer, healthier, and more reliable for all.”

The Province’s investment in OCIF is part of the 2021 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review: Build Ontario. The plan lays out how the government will build Ontario’s future with shovels in the ground for highways, hospitals, long-term care, housing, and high-speed internet. To ensure all families, workers and businesses in the province have a better and brighter future, our government’s planned infrastructure investments over the next decade total more than $148 billion.

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