Five active transportation projects across Manitoba’s Interlake region will benefit from a federal investment of more than $1.1 million, as announced today by the Honourable Dan Vandal.

“Today’s announcement supports communities across the Interlake region of Manitoba in building safe transportation options for residents to access schools and travel easily through surrounding areas. Pedestrian bridges, bike lanes, and trail systems are key to promoting active living, enabling safe biking to and from school, and providing safer, greener, and more active travel options.”

The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, PrairiesCan and CanNor, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

“Guided by our Active Transportation Strategy and supporting the Canada-aligned greenhouse gas reduction targets set out in our GHG Accountability By-law, we’re another step closer to our vision of having every urban resident of Selkirk living within two residential blocks of protected Active Transportation pathways. This initiative not only promotes a healthier and more active lifestyle for our residents, but also contributes to our shared responsibility in reducing carbon emissions. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Canada for their invaluable support and funding for these projects. Together, we are building a more connected, greener, and vibrant Selkirk for all.”

His Worship Larry Johannson, Mayor of Selkirk

“We are so fortunate to have been a recipient of this funding to promote active transportation in our municipality. We are grateful to the Government of Canada for their support and look forward to our continued relationship.”

Wes Taplin, Reeve of the RM of Rockwood

“The goal of the PTH9 trail project is to connect all our trail system to neighboring communities and provide safe access for users at intersections with the installation of pedestrian light crossings. The trails are used by the community as linear parks and promote a healthy community.”

Her Worship Joy Sul, Mayor of the RM of St. Andrews

• The Government of Canada is investing $1,106,000 in these projects through the Active Transportation Fund.

• Active transportation refers to the movement of people or goods powered by human activity, and includes walking, cycling and the use of human-powered or hybrid mobility aids such as wheelchairs, scooters, e-bikes, rollerblades, snowshoes, cross-country skis, and more.

• The Active Transportation Fund is providing $400 million over five years, starting in 2021, to make travel by active transportation easier, safer, more convenient and more enjoyable, in support of Canada's National Active Transportation Strategy. 

• Canada's National Active Transportation Strategy is the country's first coast-to-coast-to-coast strategic approach for promoting active transportation and its benefits. The strategy’s aim is to make data-driven and evidence-based investments to build new and expanded active transportation networks and to create safe environments for more equitable, healthy, active and sustainable travel options to thrive.

• The Active Transportation Fund complements Canada’s strengthened climate plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. The plan commits the federal government to providing permanent federal funding for public transit in support of making clean and affordable transportation options available in every community.

• Active transportation infrastructure provides many tangible benefits, creating good middle-class jobs, growing the economy, promoting healthier lifestyles, advancing equity amongst vulnerable Canadians, cutting air and noise pollution, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Investing in safer active transportation infrastructure is key to ensuring people of all ages and abilities can access jobs and services and connect with their communities.

• The Government of Canada is investing $14.9 billion over eight years in reliable, fast, affordable, and clean public transit. This funding includes $3 billion per year in long-term, predictable federal public transit funding which will be available to support transit solutions beginning in 2026-27.

• Since 2015, the Government of Canada has announced an unprecedented $22.6 billion invested in more than 1,400 transit projects in communities from coast to coast to coast.

• Federal funding is conditional on the signing of funding/contribution agreements.

Related products

• Backgrounder: Better Active Transportation Infrastructure Coming Soon to Interlake Region of Manitoba

Associated links

• Active Transportation Fund
• National Active Transportation Strategy
• Strengthened Climate Plan
• Federal infrastructure investments in Manitoba

For more information (media only), please contact:

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

Media Relations
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
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Web: Infrastructure Canada

Susan Hnatiuk
Operations Clerk
204-785-4930
shnatiuk@cityofselkirk.com

Laine Wilson, B.R.M.C.D
Recreation Facilitator
RM of Rockwood |Town of Stonewall
204-461-3163
laine.wilson@rockwood.ca