The governments of Canada and Ontario recognize the different ways that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted smaller and rural communities across the province. Both governments are making strategic investments in infrastructure to meet the specific needs of rural and northern Ontario municipalities and help them strengthen their local economies.

“These investments will help improve the roads and bridges that keep families in rural Ontario safe and connected to their neighbours, friends and family. These projects will create well-paying jobs in Southern Ontario, and protect our critical infrastructure that helps our region thrive.”

Irek Kusmierczyk, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Canada’s Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development

“Today’s strategic investments will help residents and commuters in Sarnia, Amherstburg and St. Clair get where they need to go safely and reliably, extending the lifespan of important travel routes while supporting economic recovery and job creation. I’m proud to represent Ontario and   our Minister of Infrastructure to receive approval to move forward with our more than $3.2-million investment in these communities.”

Bob Bailey, Member of Provincial Parliament for Sarnia-Lambton on behalf of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure

“The Town of Amherstburg is proud to be the recipient of this grant funding agreement from the Federal and Provincial Governments. The successful application of Bridge 3012 (5th Concession North over River Canard) will not only address the need for replacement as identified in our Infrastructure needs study, it will also conserve the service level it currently provides in a safe and reliable manner. The Town is sincerely grateful for receiving funds to address these infrastructure needs.”

His Worship Aldo DiCarlo, Mayor of Amherstburg

“All of us in St. Clair Township are very thankful to the Honourable Maryam Monsef, the Honourable Laurie Scott, the federal and provincial governments, that we have been awarded funding for the Holt Line Bridge Rehabilitation Project. It is a major connecting link for our farmers and rural traffic on the south side of the McKeough Dam which protects the town of Wallaceburg. Without the project funding we were faced with the closure of the Bridge for many years until we could save the funds needed to complete this vital bridge."

His Worship Steve Arnold, Mayor of St.Clair

• Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada 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 projects that meet the unique needs of rural and northern communities like facilities to support food security, local access roads and enhanced broadband connectivity. 

• Across Ontario, the Government of Canada has invested more than $7.7 billion under the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan towards more than 2,500 infrastructure projects.

• Ontario is investing $10.2 billion under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to improve public transit; community, culture and recreation; green, and rural and northern community infrastructure.

• The Rural Economic Development Strategy leverages ongoing federal investments and provides a vision for the future, identifying practical steps to take in the short term, and serving as a foundation to guide further work.

• Central to Canada’s Connectivity Strategy are historic new investments that are mobilizing up to $6 billion toward universal connectivity. They include a top-up to the Connect to Innovate Program, a new Universal Broadband Fund, and investments from the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

• On July 9, 2020, Ontario launched the $150-million Improving Connectivity for Ontario program to fund broadband and cellular infrastructure projects where there is a need for better service. This is part of the province's $315 million initiative Up to Speed: Ontario’s Broadband and Cellular Action Plan.

Related products

• Backgrounder: Canada and Ontario invest in roads and bridges for rural communities in Southern Ontario

Associated links

• Government of Canada Resources - Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
• Government of Ontario Resources – COVID-19
• Investing in Canada Plan Project Map
• Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario
• Investing in Canada: Canada’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan
• Rural Opportunity, National Prosperity: An Economic Development Strategy for Rural Canada
• Connecting Ontario: improving broadband and cellular access
• Ontario Builds Project Map

Marie-Pier Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development
613-295-8123
marie-pier.baril@cfc-swc.gc.ca

Christine Bujold
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure
416-454-1782
christine.bujold@ontario.ca

Sofia Sousa-Dias
Communications Branch
Ontario’s Ministry of Infrastructure
437-991-3391
sofia.sousa-dias@ontario.ca

Mayor Aldo DiCarlo
Town of Amherstburg
519-736-0012
adicarlo@amherstburg.ca

Media Relations
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
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