Media Release:

For Immediate Release
September 6, 2019

MPP Walker announces opening of Community, Culture and Recreation stream of infrastructure funding

OWEN SOUND – Minister of Infrastructure, Laurie Scott announced this week that the province is now accepting funding applications for projects under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program's (ICIP) Community, Culture and Recreation (CCR) stream.

The funding will go towards investing in community, culture and recreational projects that will help deliver vital services for communities, foster greater social inclusion and improve the quality of life for residents across the province.

"Community centres, cultural facilities and recreational infrastructure are exactly the types of investments that make a difference in the daily lives of people across Ontario," said Scott. "We are making the investments that matter to our communities."

Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker is pleased that the program is now accepting applications for important recreational and cultural projects.

“We all know the critical infrastructure needs we have in our community,” said Walker. “Our government continues to make significant investments to make our communities healthier and to create and protect good jobs locally and across Ontario. As a former Director of Parks and Recreation, I know firsthand the positive impact cultural and recreational facilities play in our communities and, most importantly, the people I am privileged to serve. I am very pleased our government has committed funding specific to this important sector.”

This program is funded by the federal and provincial governments along with eligible partners such as municipalities, Indigenous communities and not-for-profit groups, and could unlock up to $320 million in provincial funding.  

"These infrastructure investments are in addition to funding commitments that the Ontario government has already made for rural and northern infrastructure and transit infrastructure projects," added Scott. "We are committed to making the right investments in the right places at the right time."

Walker noted that communities in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound have received more than $7.9 million in funding through the earlier streams of the ICIP program for important road and bridge work.

“All of these projects are vital for our local communities and help ensure our local economy continues to grow and thrive,” said Walker.

Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program: Community, Culture and Recreation guidelines and application materials are available for eligible partners on the Transfer Payment Ontario website.

Quick Facts:

• The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) is a $30-billion, 10-year infrastructure program cost-shared between federal, provincial and municipal governments. Ontario’s share per project will be up to 33.33 per cent or about $10.2 billion spread across four streams: 1. Rural and Northern, 2. Public Transit, 3. Community, Culture and Recreation, 4. Green.

• The Province has nominated more than 350 projects to the federal government for funding under the Rural and Northern and Public Transit stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, and some projects have already received federal approval to begin construction.

• This includes five key transit projects inside the GTHA including the Ontario Line and Yonge North subway extension. The Province is also currently accepting applications for transit projects from 11 municipalities inside the GTHA.

• The agreement between Ontario and Canada commits $407 million in federal funding to the Community, Culture and Recreation stream. This could unlock up to $320 million in provincial funding and up to $275 million in other partner funding such as municipalities, non-profit groups or indigenous communities.

Additional Resources:

• Apply now for funding: ICIP Community, Culture, and Recreation

CONTACT: Chris Fell | chris.fell@pc.ola.org | 519-371-2421