Ontario Investing in Green Infrastructure to Help Smaller Communities

Starting on Monday, October 28, communities in Ontario with populations under 100,000 can apply for funding to support infrastructure through the Green Infrastructure stream.

The Green Infrastructure stream is the fourth (4^th) stream Ontario is opening under the joint federal/provincial Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP).

“The people of Ontario have water-related infrastructure needs, and we are helping them to fill the gaps, especially for projects that address critical health and safety concerns in our communities,” said Laurie Scott, Minister of Infrastructure. “These investments make our local infrastructure safer and more reliable and give them the ability to grow economically.”

The initial intake of the Green Infrastructure stream targets projects in communities where it is needed most. Municipalities, First Nations, along with Local Service Boards, Conservation Authorities and other not-for-profit entities who own eligible infrastructure assets may apply for project funding up to a maximum of $3 million in total per project for eligible costs.

Approximately $200 million dollars is available in federal and provincial funding.

“Our economy, our communities and our families all rely on good infrastructure,” said Minister Scott. “The Province understands there is demand for our investments in these critical projects, including tackling immediate, critical local water, wastewater, and stormwater needs.”

The Province anticipates launching an additional intake of the Green Infrastructure stream in 2020 that could focus on other emerging priorities for water, wastewater and stormwater projects and/or disaster mitigation.

The Province also anticipates the Green Infrastructure stream will be very competitive.

The Green Infrastructure stream, as per federal parameters, aims to support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, enable greater adaptation and resilience to the impacts of extreme weather and disaster mitigation. It also helps ensure communities can provide clean air and safe drinking water for everyone.

QUICK FACTS

• The current application intake for the Green Infrastructure stream will open on October 28, 2019 to 408 eligible municipalities, 127 First Nations, nine Local Services Boards, as well as Conservation Authorities, and not-for-profit organizations with water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.
• Eligible applicants will have up to 12 weeks with a deadline of January 22, 2020 to submit applications for provincial review and nomination to the federal government through the Transfer Payment Ontario website.
• The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) 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 $10.2 billion spread across four streams: Rural and Northern, Public Transit, Green, and Community, Culture and Recreation (CCR).
• Projects will be evaluated in alignment with previous ICIP programs with a focus on health and safety. Further details are outlined in the Program Guidelines.
• On September 3, 2019, Ontario opened the application intake for the CCR stream. The provincial and federal funding for the stream, which closes November 12, will go towards investing in local community centres, cultural facilities and recreational infrastructure.
• The Province has nominated 351 projects to the federal government under three streams of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.