General News

Federal infrastructure funding for rural areas

May 19, 2016

Mike Bossio, MP for Hastings-Lennox and Addington, on behalf of Hon. Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, announced changes made to the New Building Canada Fund that will positively impact the people in this region.
“I’ve heard from our municipalities throughout the riding about the unique needs of small rural communities,” said Bossio. “Our Government’s infrastructure investments in our community will have a significant impact here.”
The federal Infrastructure Minster has sent his provincial counterpart a letter outlining the government’s plan to accelerate federal investments in the short term by providing funding for projects that rehabilitate and modernize public infrastructure while encouraging economic growth.
“We’re proud to affirm Budget 2016 will also provide more generous cost sharing for projects,” Minister Sohi added. “The changes made to additional existing programs like the New Building Canada Fund are aimed at making them more user-friendly, and this will help us streamline approvals and reduce unnecessary administrative burdens, so all of these projects can get going faster.”
Speaking in the House of Commons on May 6, Bossio stated that he had heard very clearly from local mayors that the cost sharing model and burdensome applications for small municipalities were key issues. “Our government is listening to small municipalities, and our government is taking action,” said Bossio.
As part of his extensive consultation with municipalities, Bossio contacted all municipalities in Hastings-Lennox and Addington this week to encourage them to send in applications.
Submitted by the office of Mike Bossio