Canada and Ontario invest in community and recreation infrastructure 

News release

Ottawa, Ontario, April 29, 2022—Investments in key infrastructure projects ensure thriving and healthy communities across Canada. From roads and community centres to public transit and water reservoirs, reliable infrastructure provides communities with opportunities to grow and develop today so that they can be resilient in the face of tomorrow.

Today, Chandra Arya, Member of Parliament for Nepean, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Lisa MacLeod, Ontario’s Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, on behalf of the Honourable Kinga Surma, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure; and Jan Harder, Councillor for Ward 3 Barrhaven, on behalf of His Worship, Jim Watson, Mayor of the City of Ottawa announced joint funding for 12 community and recreation infrastructure projects across Ontario.  

The Government of Canada is investing more than $20.8 million in these projects through the Community, Culture and Recreation Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Ontario is providing over $17.3 million, while recipients and partners are contributing over $13.8 million in total. 

Among the projects announced today is the construction of the Barrhaven Town Centre in Nepean. This new cultural hub will include the construction of a 15,000 square foot cultural centre, a 3,000 square foot seniors’ space, and an over 25,000 square foot library. Once complete, this project will provide residents in Ottawa with a cultural hub that will foster social interactions and community engagement for years to come.

Additional funding announced today will support recreation and community infrastructure projects in Ajax, Brantford, London, Kitchener, Kingsville, Perth East, Cramahe, Howick, Clarence-Rockland, Madoc, and Lambton Shores. These projects include improvements to local community centres and facilities, theatres, playgrounds, rinks, outdoor courts, and pools. 

Quotes

“Cultural infrastructure is vital in ensuring community development and wellbeing. Today’s investment will provide thousands of Barrhaven residents access to a modern, welcoming space where they can come together to enjoy cultural events, learn, and socialize. This fills a big gap we had in Barrhaven for many years.”

Chandra Arya, Member of Parliament for Nepean, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities

“Over the past 16 years, I’ve worked hard to ensure that our roads, bridges and schools have kept up with the fast pace of growth in Barrhaven. Being able to deliver on the Barrhaven Town Centre, therefore is doubly meaningful for me as the local MPP and the Minister responsible for public libraries, culture and performance arts. Today, Nepean will benefit from a $38 million project that will deliver a world class facility to our high growth community, which will benefit families for years to come.”

The Honourable Lisa MacLeod, Ontario’s Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries and Member of Provincial Parliament for Nepean, on behalf of the Honourable Kinga Surma, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure

“The new Barrhaven Town Centre will be an iconic cultural hub featuring flexible spaces for community engagement, performances and recreational activities. This investment of more than $38 million is a significant contribution to community development and wellbeing and I want to thank our federal and provincial funding partners for your commitment to the residents of our community.”

City Councillor Jan Harder, on behalf of Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson

Quick facts

  • Under the Investing in Canada Plan, the federal government 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.

  • Over the past 6 years, the Government of Canada has invested more than $18.7 billion in over 4,200 infrastructure projects across Ontario.

  • During that period, over $45 billion has been invested in communities by Infrastructure Canada across the country to support world-class infrastructure projects, including over $1.8 billion for culture and recreation infrastructure projects. 

  • Infrastructure Canada helps address complex challenges that Canadians face every day—ranging from the rapid growth of our cities, to climate change, and environmental threats to our water and land.

  • For its part, Ontario is investing over $10.2 billion to improve public transit; community, culture and recreation; green infrastructure as well as other priority infrastructure, including across rural and northern communities.

  • Over the next 10 years, Ontario has planned overall investments of more than $158.8 billion to support access to quality, reliable high-speed internet, and the construction, rehabilitation and modernization of new schools, hospitals, public transit, roads and bridges. 

  • Getting shovels in the ground on critical infrastructure projects is part of the Ontario government’s plan to build strong and resilient communities, stimulating job creation and boosting economic growth while protecting health and safety of people across the province.

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Contacts

Jean-Sébastien Comeau
Press Secretary and Communications Advisor
Office of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities
343-574-8116
Jean-Sebastien.Comeau@iga-aig.gc.ca

Hayley Cooper
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Kinga Surma
Ontario Minister of Infrastructure
437-233-3224
Hayley.Cooper@ontario.ca

Sofia Sousa-Dias
Communications Branch
Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure
437-991-3391
Sofia.Sousa-Dias@ontario.ca

City of Ottawa Media Contact
medias@ottawa.ca
613-580-2450

Media Relations
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: media-medias@infc.gc.ca
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Web: Infrastructure Canada

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