British Columbia is the latest province to sign a bilateral infrastructure agreement with the Government of Canada, receiving more than $4.1 billion over the next decade.
In total, British Columbia will receive $4,129,680,161 in four funding areas:
- Public Transit – $2,691,101,894
- Green Infrastructure – $1,115,494,721
- Community, Culture, and Recreation Infrastructure – $157,081,719
- Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure – $166,001,827
For the funding provided for transit, $2,222,366,485 has been allocated to TransLink, with the remaining $468,735,408 allocated to BC Transit. Also, the green infrastructure investment includes the $212 million previously allocation for the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant project.
“Signing this new 10-year bilateral agreement with the Government of Canada means people in B.C. stand to benefit from record infrastructure investment – nearly $10 billion in partnership with all levels of government,” said Claire Trevena, minister of transportation and infrastructure. “From greener infrastructure and better public transit to enhanced community centres and parks, this historic funding gives communities in B.C. of all sizes a boost to deliver modern infrastructure through smart investments that benefit people, the environment, and the economy.”
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 more efficient cities;
- Sustainable water management;
- Enhanced public parks, recreational facilities and other spaces that make communities great places to live;
- Better transportation and digital infrastructure for people living in remote communities; and
- Increased energy security and reduced reliance on diesel in the North.
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 fifth new long-term infrastructure agreement the Government of Canada has signed with provincial and territorial partners.
