Kenora, Ont. — Minister Greg Rickford and Kenora-Rainy River MPP has announced that the Ontario government is investing $95,770 in the City of Kenora’s Handi-Transit service and nominated the City of Kenora under the Public Transit stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP).
The money will go towards the development of the Handi-Transit facility and the purchase of a bus. The additional bus will expand Handi-Transit service and accommodate for the growing demand for service.
“I am very proud to see our government investing in community transit projects in Kenora,” said Greg Rickford, MPP, Kenora-Rainy River. “I know the City of Kenora is excited to get shovels in the ground, so I am hopeful the federal government will approve this important project so we can get started on this important piece of community infrastructure.”
“Handi-Transit is an important service in our community that provides valuable transportation to those with physical challenges,” said Mayor Daniel Reynard. “We are grateful to the Province for their support in extending funding to enhance the service and add to the viability of the program.”
The projects are now with the federal government for final funding decisions as they are reviewed for eligibility under the ICIP program.
“These nominated projects will help people in the Kenora-Rainy River spend less time commuting and more time doing the things they love with those they care about most,” said Laurie Scott, Minister of Infrastructure.
QUICK FACTS
- The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program is a $30 billion, 10-year infrastructure program cost-shared between federal, provincial and municipal governments. Ontario’s share per project will be up to 33.33 per cent or about $10.2 billion spread across four streams: 1. Rural and Northern, 2. Public Transit, 3. Green, 4. Community, Culture and Recreation.
- Funding is allocated to transit systems based on a municipality’s or municipalities’ share of total transit ridership in Ontario as per the 2015 Canadian Urban Transit Association Fact Book. This allocations-based funding model was set by the federal government.
- These projects are from the first intake of ICIP applications from municipalities outside the GTHA. Some project applications from this intake are still under consideration by the province. The province intends to make more announcements from this intake soon. Information on additional intakes will be released when available.
- The combined investment from the federal, provincial and local governments for the 16 Region of Waterloo transit projects forwarded under the Public Transit stream would be more than $182 million.
- The government also nominated 15 major transit projects in the City of Toronto, Region of York and City of London to the federal government for approval, as well as 144 road, bridge, air and marine infrastructure projects under the Rural and Northern stream.
