Residents of Saskatchewan to Benefit From Improved Bridge, Water and Recreation Infrastructure

Released on February 9, 2021

Canadians Everywhere Are Feeling The Impact Of COVID-19 On Their Families, Their Livelihoods And Their Way Of Life

Together, Canada and Saskatchewan are working to reduce the impact of the pandemic, ensure health and safety, rebuild businesses, and promote job creation, growth and investment.  Investments in Saskatchewan’s infrastructure during this extraordinary time provide an opportunity to make our communities more sustainable and resilient.

Today, Maryam Monsef, Canada’s Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, and Saskatchewan’s Government Relations Minister Don McMorris, announced more than $13.6 million in joint funding for 30 projects in Saskatchewan.

Providing communities with reliable and sustainable infrastructure is a shared priority for both governments.  To that end, the Government of Canada is investing more than $6.7 million in these projects through the Investing in Canada plan.  The Government of Saskatchewan is contributing more than $6.9 million.

These investments will benefit Saskatchewan people, thanks to various projects such as the:

• replacement of rural bridges to strengthen the ability to move goods and services on the local transportation network;
• upgrading of water and wastewater systems to position communities for the future;
• the decommissioning of landfills to help protect the environment; and
• improving recreation facilities for various sports and other activities.

All orders of government continue to work together for the people of Saskatchewan to make strategic infrastructure investments in communities across the province.

“It is only by working together with all levels of governments that we will be able to resolve the challenges facing rural communities across Canada, especially during the current pandemic,” said Monsef.  “This is why we are announcing today a federal investment of more than $6.7 million to improve recreation facilities, rural bridges and water and wastewater systems across Saskatchewan.  By investing in projects like these, we are helping to make our communities stronger, more competitive and we are contributing to our country’s economic recovery.  Not only will these vital projects help create well-paying jobs during the construction phase, they will have long-lasting benefits for residents and businesses for years to come.  Since 2015, the Government of Canada has invested $715 million in over 375 infrastructure projects across Saskatchewan to create jobs and improve quality of life.  To support underserved communities with access to broadband, we have also invested over $27 million for 6 projects in the province, which will help connect more than 44,000 households to high-speed internet.”

“The Government of Saskatchewan invests in infrastructure to strengthen communities and stimulate the economy, as people across our great province work together to meet the challenges of COVID-19,” McMorris said.  “More than $6.9 million of provincial funding will help these 30 infrastructure projects become a reality.  They will improve quality of life and help continue to build a strong Saskatchewan.”

Quick facts:

• Through the Investing in Canada plan, the federal government 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.
• $2 billion of this funding is supporting infrastructure that meets the unique needs of rural and northern communities, like facilities to support food security, local access roads and enhanced broadband connectivity. 
• In Saskatchewan, Infrastructure Canada has invested more than $715 million in over 375 infrastructure projects under the Investing in Canada plan.

Associated links:

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 Saskatchewan https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-sk-eng.html

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For more information, contact:

Marie-Pier Baril
Office of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development
Phone: 613-295-8123
Email: Marie-Pier.Baril@cfc-swc.gc.ca

Dan Palmer
Government Relations
Phone: 306-787-7151
Email: Dan.Palmer@gov.sk.ca 

Infrastructure Canada
Phone: 613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: infc.media.infc@canada.ca