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

Released on March 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, as well as promote job creation, growth and investment.  Investments in Saskatchewan's infrastructure during this extraordinary time provide an opportunity to make communities more sustainable and resilient.

Today, Jim Carr, Special Representative for the Prairies, on behalf of Catherine McKenna, Canada's Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Saskatchewan's Government Relations Minister Don McMorris, announced more than $33 million in joint funding for 26 projects in Saskatchewan.

Recreation infrastructure projects include a new park and community garden in the village of Craven.  This project - along with improvements to arenas, pools, playgrounds and community centres across Saskatchewan - will provide residents with access to programs and services, and promote a healthy lifestyle.  The Rural Municipality of Porcupine No. 395 and the Rural Municipality of Preeceville No. 334 will see the replacement of rural bridges to strengthen the ability to move goods and services on the local transportation network.  Additionally, important upgrades to water and wastewater systems in the Town of Hudson Bay and the Village of Edenwold will help protect the health of residents and the environment.

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 $21 million in these projects through the Investing in Canada plan.  The Government of Saskatchewan is contributing more than $12 million.

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

"The Government of Canada is taking decisive actions to help create jobs and support our economy," said Carr.  "These projects in Saskatchewan will provide better access to community amenities such as playgrounds and swimming pools, update sewage systems and provide reliable, efficient water services.  Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities."

"Our provincial government is proud to play a role in these infrastructure initiatives by investing more than $12 million that will help them move from the drawing board to reality," McMorris said.  "These projects improve the rural transportation system, water and recreation facilities, create jobs, improve quality of life and strengthen 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.
• $26.9 billion of this funding is supporting green infrastructure projects.
• $25.3 billion of this funding is supporting social infrastructure in Canadian 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 $721 million in over 400 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:

Chantalle Aubertin
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
Phone: 613-941-0660
Email: Chantalle.Aubertin@canada.ca

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

Media Relations
Infrastructure Canada
Phone: 613-960-9251
Email: infc.media.infc@canada.ca