City Applauds Federal Infrastructure Funding Announcement

The City of St. John's commends Infrastructure Canada for their promise to provide funding to communities. This includes funds for public transit projects; green infrastructure such as water treatment facilities; social infrastructure such as affordable housing; and cultural and recreational infrastructure.

“I applaud the federal government for their commitment to provide over $81 billion to municipalities over 11 years,” said Mayor Dennis O’Keefe. “Cost shared monies between municipalities, provinces and the federal government allows the City to undertake infrastructure construction and renewal at an affordable cost. In many cases projects would simply be unaffordable without federal financial support.”

Details regarding allocation formulas and the project approval process have yet to be communicated. The future funding formula between the three levels of government will have a significant impact on the ability of cities like St. John's to undertake important infrastructure projects.

“The new funds announced will support the City of St. John's 10 year Capital Plan in many ways,” said Councillor Danny Breen, Chair of the Public Works Standing Committee. “Our Capital Plan outlines the long term needs of the City’s infrastructure including upgrades to transit, affordable housing, roads, and bridges, totaling over $1.25 billion.”

There are several major infrastructure projects on the horizon for the City of St. John's. Federal regulations require the City to have secondary wastewater treatment by 2020. The estimated cost is $200 million and formerly there was no cost sharing funding source identified.

“I encourage the government of Canada to fast track the awarding and approval of projects under federal infrastructure programs so that we can meet the 2020 target set for secondary wastewater treatment in a timely manner,” Councillor Breen.
 
Media Contact:
Kelly Maguire
Media Relations
City of St. John's
709-576-8491
kmaguire@stjohns.ca