News release - For immediate release

$1,690,000 in funding for the ByWard Market area to improve its infrastructure and respond to the impacts of COVID-19

Ottawa, Ontario, July 20th, 2021— The health and well-being of Canadians are top priorities for the governments of Canada and Ontario. Communities across Canada are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and need immediate assistance to ensure their municipal and community infrastructure is safe and reliable.

That is why our governments have been working together to build strong communities, create good jobs, and support long-term resilience as we build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today, the Honourable Mona Fortier, Federal Minister of Middle Class Prosperity, Associate Minister of Finance, and Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Communities and Infrastructure; Jeremy Roberts, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services and Member of Provincial Parliament for Ottawa West-Nepean, on behalf the Honourable Kinga Surma, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure; His Worship Jim Watson, Mayor of the City of Ottawa; and Mathieu Fleury, Ward Councillor for Rideau-Vanier, announced $1,690,000 in funding for the ByWard Market area to improve its infrastructure.

The Government of Canada is investing $3.1 million to support 16 projects – such as upgrades to the ByWard Market area – across the City of Ottawa through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to repair and upgrade municipal buildings. The Government of Ontario is contributing an additional $779,000 to the projects.

Of the funding announced, $950,000 will go to the ByWard Market Building to renew the building’s envelope, replace the windows, and provide additional masonry work. The remaining $740,000 will build a stand-alone self-cleaning public washroom and add enhanced wayfinding to the area.

On August 5th, 2020, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, announced over $3.3 billion to support municipalities across Canada as they respond to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This stream represents up to $1.1 billion in funding in Ontario that will ensure that municipalities receive the long-term support they need to recover from COVID-19.

The COVID-19 stream, implemented in response to the pandemic, allows Government of Canada to invest up to 80% in projects that support provinces and up to 100% in projects that support territories and Indigenous communities in their response to the pandemic.

Quotes

“The ByWard Market Building and surrounding area is one of our country’s oldest markets and one of Ottawa’s most popular destinations. I am pleased that our government is investing in this important Ottawa-Vanier landmark to renew the building, enhance wayfinding, and provide more access to public washrooms. These infrastructure improvements will ensure the longevity of the building and neighbourhood for many years to come, so that it can continue to serve as a gathering place, promote local tourism, and support local boutiques and restaurants.”

– The Honourable Mona Fortier, Federal Minister of Middle Class Prosperity, Associate Minister of Finance, and Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier

"These repairs and upgrades in the heart of Ottawa’s historical Byward Market will improve the health and safety of one of our city’s most historical landmarks. As we emerge from the pandemic, it is more important than ever that we ensure the lifespan of these buildings is maintained, so that they can be enjoyed now and in the years to come."

- Jeremy Roberts, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services and Member of Provincial Parliament for Ottawa West—Nepean, on behalf of the Honourable Kinga Surma, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure

“This funding to improve community spaces in Ottawa is an investment in the well-being of our residents that will help us meet the future service needs of our community. The priority projects in Ottawa funded through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream will promote the health and safety of our residents and the environmental sustainability of important City facilities including the iconic ByWard Market building. This work will help stimulate our economic rebound and create jobs in Ottawa and I am very thankful for this support from the federal and provincial governments.”

- His Worship Jim Watson, Mayor of the City of Ottawa

“The ByWard Market is a space like none other in the City of Ottawa. The last 18 months have shown us the importance of access and maintenance of our public spaces and these micro investments are another good example of this. These improvements such as access to clean, safe and public washrooms along with improvements to the ByWard building are also in alignment with the ByWard Market Public Realm plan, which calls for close to $130 M in additional investments to the ByWard Market public spaces – all ensuring that the Market remains a place for locals, tourists and businesses to enjoy.”

– Ottawa City Councillor Mathieu Fleury, Ward 12 Rideau-Vanier

Quick facts

· Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities. Ontario is investing $10.2 billion in this program.

· To support Canadians and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, a COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure stream has been added to the over $33-billion Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to help fund pandemic-resilient infrastructure. Existing program streams have also been adapted to include more eligible project categories.

· Through the COVID-19 Resilience stream, over $3 billion is available to provide provinces and territories with added flexibility to fund quick-start, short term projects.

· Under the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure stream, the federal cost share for public infrastructure projects is 80 per cent in the provinces, and 100 per cent in the territories and for projects intended for Indigenous communities.

· The Government of Canada has invested over $8.7 billion in more than 3,100 infrastructure projects across Ontario under the Investing in Canada plan.

Associated links

Investing in COVID-19 Community Resilience : https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/covid-19-resilience-eng.html

Canada Healthy Communities Initiative :  https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/chci-iccs/index-eng.html

Investing in Canada: Canada’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan : http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html

Investing in Canada Plan Project Map : http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map

Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario : https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-on-eng.html#1

For further information:

Constituency Office of the Honourable Mona Fortier

613-998-1860