Canada and Yukon to make significant investments that will improve the lives of Northern Canadians

Supporting new projects that build prosperous communities and transition to a clean growth economy

OTTAWA, May 3, 2018 /CNW/ – The governments of Canada and Yukon are working together to make long-term infrastructure investments that will create jobs and economic growth, build inclusive communities and support a low carbon, green economy–leading to a higher quality of life for Northern Canadians.

Today, the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Sandy Silver, Premier of Yukon, announced the signing of a bilateral agreement that will provide more than $594 million over the next decade in shared funding for infrastructure projects under the Investing in Canada plan. The Government of Canada is providing a total of over $445 million, up to 75 per cent of eligible expenditures. The projects supported through this agreement will be cost-shared with the territorial government, municipalities, First Nations and other partners. This higher cost share takes into consideration the unique challenges faced by the territories. As well, Indigenous recipients can use additional federal funding from other sources to a maximum federal contribution of 100 per cent on projects.

The Investing in Canada plan will see the governments of Canada and Yukon make unprecedented investments in green infrastructure, recreational, cultural, and community infrastructure, rural and northern communities' infrastructure, and public transit.

These investments will make a positive difference for people across the territory, including:

• clean air and water
• reduced greenhouse gas emissions
• energy security and reduced reliance on diesel in the North
• smarter and more efficient communities
• sustainable water and wastewater management
• cultural spaces that make communities great places to live
• better transportation and digital infrastructure for people living in remote communities
• better movement of people and goods

Across Canada more than $33 billion in federal funding will be invested through these 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.

Quotes

“I am pleased that Yukon and the Government of Canada have reached an agreement that will benefit communities across the territory for years to come. Today's agreement will provide the long-term predictable funding required to meet the unique challenges of life in the North. Investments in infrastructure are key to building a strong Canada—connecting people, creating jobs and strengthening our economy and communities for the future. I look forward to continuing to work with our territorial, municipal and Indigenous partners to make strategic investments in Yukon that will build inclusive, resilient communities where everyone has opportunities to succeed.”

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“The Government of Canada is committed to making sure Yukon communities have the support they need to help grow the economy and address local infrastructure priorities. Maintaining and improving northern infrastructure will ensure continuous support to the health, safety, and prosperity of all residents, while helping create a better quality of life for families living and working in the North.”

The Honourable Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament for Yukon

“Building infrastructure is challenging and expensive in Yukon given our short construction season, limited resources, and changing climate. This agreement provides us with the assurance of long-term funding for infrastructure in our territory, allowing us to plan well into the future. The Government of Yukon will continue to partner with municipalities and First Nations to identify local solutions to local priorities that will benefit our economy and the well-being of all our communities.”

The Honourable Sandy Silver, Premier of Yukon

Quick facts

• Under the Investing in Canada 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.
• Under the first phase of the plan, Infrastructure Canada has approved nearly 3,500 projects across Canada worth a combined investment of more than $8.4 billion.
• 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. In addition, the $400 million Arctic Energy Fund will be delivered under this stream to support energy security in the territories.
• This marks the eighth new long-term infrastructure agreement the Government of Canada has signed with provincial and territorial partners.

Related product

Backgrounder – Canada and Yukon to make significant investments that will improve the lives of Northern Canadians: https://www.canada.ca/en/office-infrastructure/news/2018/05/backgrounder-canada-and-yukon-to-make-significant-investments-that-will-improve-the-lives-of-northern-canadians.html

Backgrounder

Canada and Yukon to make significant investments that will improve the lives of Northern Canadians
Supporting new projects that build prosperous communities and transition to a clean growth economy

Under the $180-billion Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is signing new bilateral agreements with all provinces and territories that will see more than $33 billion in federal funding invested in infrastructure projects across the country. The objective of these investments is to transform the way Canadians live, move and work across four priority areas:

• Green infrastructure;
• Community, culture, and recreation infrastructure;
• Rural and northern communities; and
• Public transit.

Yukon will receive a total of $445,617,301 from Canada over the period of 2018 to 2028 through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) agreement. Canada will provide up to 75 per cent of eligible costs, with the remaining 25 per cent provided by Yukon, municipalities, First Nations and other recipients. This shared funding will provide a total of $594,156,401 in potential infrastructure investment.

Allocations by funding streams

* Outcomes will be obtained through projects which will be communicated in more details as they are announced.

The bilateral agreements will allow the Government of Canada and the provinces and territories to agree on shared results as well as a method of reporting on results on a regular basis. The bilateral agreements support the following long-term results:

• Increase the rate of economic growth in an inclusive and sustainable way;
• Improve environmental quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase resiliency of communities;
• Improve mobility in Canadian communities;
• Make Canadian communities more inclusive and accessible; and
• Manage infrastructure in a more sustainable way.

Under these new bilateral agreements, the Government of Canada will not only make significant investments in Canadian communities, but open the door to unique innovative project ideas that meet the agreed-upon outcomes. These new ideas will contribute to the long-term sustainability of our infrastructure.

To ensure our partners consider opportunities to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions or better adapt to climate change during the project development stage, a new climate lens will be applied for certain projects. Partners will also report on how larger projects are creating job opportunities for a broader array of Canadians in the construction industry and related sectors through a new Community Employment Benefits framework.

For information on cost-sharing, please see Infrastructure Canada's website.

 Associated links

Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan (PDF Version)

Investing in Canada plan project map

Federal infrastructure investments in Yukon

Toward a new Arctic Policy Framework

Twitter: @INFC_eng 
Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2018/03/c7230.html