On June 4, 2018, the federal government of Canada and the provincial government of Manitoba announced that they are working together to make long-term infrastructure investments that will create jobs, revitalize local economies, build inclusive communities and help restore the global climate via low-carbon, green economic growth.
Via this new funding, Manitoba will make unprecedented investments in public transit, green infrastructure, recreational, cultural, and community infrastructure, as well as rural and northern communities.
Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Jeff Wharton, Minister of Municipal Relations, signed a bilateral agreement that will inject over $1.1 billion of federal funding through the Investing in Canada plan over the next decade, mostly for infrastructure renewal projects. These projects will be cost-shared with the Manitoba government, municipalities and other partners.
These investments will have benefits for people in communities across the province including:
- Faster commutes and travel times for more people, and easier movement of goods for businesses;
- Cleaner air and water;
- Reduced greenhouse-gas emissions;
- Smarter and more efficient cities;
- Sustainable water management;
- Enhanced public parks, recreational facilities and other spaces that make communities great places to live; and
- Better transportation and digital infrastructure for people living in remote communities.
Across Canada, more than $33 billion in federal funding will be invested through new bilateral agreements with provinces and territories. Provinces and territories will develop three-year plans that will provide information on how they will implement their infrastructure projects.
Under the Investing in Canada plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion nationwide over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities. Under the first phase of the plan, Infrastructure Canada has approved nearly 3,500 projects across Canada worth a combined investment of more than $8.9 billion, including more than 100 projects worth more than $325 million in Manitoba.
As part of the Plan, Infrastructure Canada will deliver $33 billion over the next decade through new bilateral agreements with provinces and territories under four funding streams:
- $20.1 billion for public transit;
- $9.2 billion for green infrastructure;
- $1.3 billion for community, cultural and recreational infrastructure; and
- $2 billion for wide-ranging infrastructure needs in rural and northern communities.
This marks the ninth new long-term infrastructure agreement the Government of Canada has signed with provincial and territorial partners. In October of 2017, the provincial government unveiled its Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan, a new vision for building a prosperous green economy, reducing carbon emissions, preserving natural and healthy ecosystems, and protecting the region’s water. The Manitoba government is moving ahead with this plan and is dedicated to becoming Canada’s cleanest, greenest, most climate-resilient province.
Photo of Winnipeg, Manitoba via Adobe Stock.