Rural communities in Newfoundland and Labrador receive support for stronger asset management practices

News release

Ottawa, October 16, 2020— As we continue to adapt to the new physical, social and economic realities presented by COVID-19, all orders of government are working together to ensure the safety and well-being Canadians. This includes providing local communities with tools and support for evidence-based decision-making that will help them plan a healthier, safer and more prosperous future for everyone.

That’s why the Government of Canada is investing over $125,000 in three Newfoundland and Labrador communities through the Municipal Asset Management Program (MAMP), delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities on behalf of the federal government.

The program aims to strengthen infrastructure investment decisions based on reliable data and sound asset management practices through asset management training, funding and information sharing.

The towns of Harbour Breton, Hermitage-Sandyville and St. Albans will compile a complete inventory of their major assets including water distribution, roads, sewer, municipally owned buildings and structures, trails, parks and fleet.  As part of the initiative, municipal council and staff will participate in asset management training sessions.

Quotes

“These investments are providing municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador with the tools and training they need to plan, build and maintain their roads, water systems, buildings and other key infrastructure for years to come. The COVID-19 health crisis has reinforced the importance of effective and modern infrastructure that support safe, sustainable and healthy communities. With a clear line of sight on their long-term needs, local governments will be able to make sound investment decisions on projects that contribute to cleaner, more livable communities for their children and grandchildren. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country and builds stronger communities.”

The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities 

“Rural communities are the backbone of the Canadian economy and among the best places in Canada to call home. Smart investments in infrastructure help smaller communities to grow, strengthen their economies and improve quality of life for their residents. Through projects like those announced today, our government is helping to ensure that local leaders, especially those in rural areas, have the tools they need to plan for the long-term and creating stronger rural communities now and for generations to come.”

The Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development

“Communities need the right training and tools to strategically plan, build, and maintain their infrastructure for future generations. That’s why we are proud to make important investments that will help local governments grow their local economy, build more resilient and sustainable communities, and improve quality of life for their residents right here in Newfoundland and Labrador.”

Gudie Hutchings, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development and Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains

“Municipalities are Canada’s builders. With responsibility over two-thirds of our public infrastructure—and as the governments closest to daily life for Canadians across the country—local leaders are building strong, vibrant, and sustainable communities. That’s why having access to the right tools and information at the local level is so important. It’s how we’re able to build better lives.”

Garth Frizzell, President, Federation of Canadian Municipalities

Quick facts

  • The Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities announce support for three new asset management initiatives in rural communities in Newfoundland and Labrador: 

    • Town of Harbour Breton – Asset management inventory and preliminary capital program: $49,770
    • Town of Hermitage-Sandyville – Asset management inventory and preliminary capital program: $26,618
    • Town of St. Alban’s – Asset management inventory and preliminary capital program: $49,433
  • The $110-million Municipal Asset Management Program, delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and funded by the Government of Canada, has invested in more than 663 municipal asset management projects.

  • To support Canadians and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new stream has been added to the over $33-billion Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to help fund pandemic-resilient infrastructure. Existing program streams have also been adapted to include more eligible project categories. 

  • The COVID-19 Resilience Stream will help other orders of governments whose finances have been significantly impacted by the pandemic by increasing the federal cost share for public infrastructure projects in a variety of areas including disaster mitigation and adaptation projects and pandemic-resilient infrastructure.

  • Furthermore, the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative will provide up to $31 million in existing federal funding to help communities adapt spaces and services in response to immediate and ongoing coronavirus-related needs over the next two years.

Associated links

Contacts

Chantalle Aubertin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-941-0660
chantalle.aubertin@canada.ca

FCM Media Relations
613-907-6395
media@fcm.ca

Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email:
infc.media.infc@canada.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada

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