Today, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Special Advisor for Water and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, and His Worship Charlie Clark, Mayor of Saskatoon, announced a joint investment of over $34 million to support Saskatoon’s Green Network, which provides people and wildlife with access to continuous, high quality green spaces and natural areas in the city.

“Investing in natural infrastructure is an important way to use communities’ ecosystems to enhance biodiversity, reduce pollution and build resilience to climate change. Saskatoon’s Green Network is an exciting investment in natural infrastructure solutions to help reduce carbon emissions. Our government is committed to working with our partners to support projects that make life more sustainable and provide a better quality of life for residents across the City of Saskatoon.” 

The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

“With severe weather events becoming more frequent, it is imperative that we foster resilient communities to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change. In partnership with Saskatoon, we are ensuring the protection and future of the city’s green spaces. We will continue to support projects that protect our environment and support healthy and resilient communities for years to come.”

Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Special Advisor for Water and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South

“This welcomed investment is crucial to advancing the City’s Green Network Project. It will help mitigate impacts of climate change, protect wildlife, and improve public greenspaces. This will enhance our natural spaces that are so well utilized by residents and visitors year-round, while also protecting against costly natural events.”

His Worship Charlie Clark, Mayor of Saskatoon

• The Government of Canada is investing $20,000,000 in this project through the Natural Infrastructure Fund (NIF) and the City of Saskatoon is contributing $14,632,759 from existing funding sources.

• Saskatoon’s successful Natural Infrastructure Fund application, called the Green Network Project, bundles together over 20 initiatives to be implemented over two years.

• The Natural Infrastructure Fund provides a significant opportunity for the City of Saskatoon to advance the Green Infrastructure Strategy Implementation Plan (Green Pathways) vision for an interconnected green network in Saskatoon that will achieve multiple benefits such as improved access to nature for the community, equity and reconciliation, climate mitigation and adaptation, and habitat restoration. 

• Meewasin is supporting the City of Saskatoon’s Green Network Project through resource management work, pathway improvements, and wildlife friendly fencing. 

• The Natural Infrastructure Fund supports projects that use natural or hybrid approaches to increase resilience to climate change, mitigate carbon emissions, protect and preserve biodiversity and wildlife habitats, and promote Canadians’ access to nature.

• Examples of natural infrastructure include urban forests, street trees, wetlands, bioswales and natural area restoration. 

• Hybrid infrastructure incorporates elements of engineered grey infrastructure to enhance or support natural infrastructure and/or the use of ecosystem processes. Examples of hybrid infrastructure include green roofs and naturalized stormwater ponds.

• A minimum of 10 per cent of the overall program envelope will be allocated to Indigenous-led projects.

• Federal funding is conditional on fulfilling all requirements related to consultation with Indigenous groups.

Associated links

• Natural Infrastructure Fund
• Saskatoon Green Network Project
• Strengthened Climate Plan
• Federal infrastructure investments in Saskatchewan

For more information (media only), please contact:

Kevin Collins
Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
Kevin.Collins@infc.gc.ca

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