The governments of Canada and Manitoba have announced the signing of a bilateral agreement that will provide more than $1.1 billion in federal funding through the Investing in Canada plan over the next decade for infrastructure projects. These projects will be cost-shared with the Manitoba government, municipalities, and other partners.
“This landmark agreement paves the way for continued, historic levels of infrastructure investment in new priority projects right across Manitoba,” said Jeff Wharton, minister of municipal relations. “We look forward to working in partnership with the federal government, municipalities, non-profits, Indigenous, and northern communities to identify priority projects that strengthen Manitoba’s economy, improve our global competitiveness and revitalize our communities. This new agreement will deliver lasting benefits to Manitobans and enhance our government’s commitment to fair say for municipalities as we work to make Manitoba Canada’s most improved province.”
This new funding covers the four strategic areas of infrastructure funding focused on by the federal government. The $1,172,076,154 breaks down as follows:
- Public Transit – $546,139,840
- Green Infrastructure – $451,790,568
- Community, Culture, and Recreation Infrastructure – $61,326,732
- Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure – $112,819,014
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 and more efficient cities;
- Sustainable water management;
- Enhanced public parks, recreational facilities and other spaces that make communities great places to live; and
- Better transportation and digital infrastructure for people living in remote communities.
Manitoba has become the ninth province to sign a bilateral agreement with the Government of Canada for long-term infrastructure funding.