TORONTO: Over $27.6 million have been announced in joint funding by the federal government, the province of Ontario and their partners for 14 projects to improve cultural, community, and active transportation infrastructure across the City of Toronto..
The funding announcement was made by Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and Member of Parliament for Scarborough Southwest, on behalf of Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; Adam Vaughan, Member of Parliament for Spadina—Fort York; Marci Ien, Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre; Kinga Surma, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure and Member of Provincial Parliament for Etobicoke Centre; Rod Phillips, Ontario’s Minister of Long-Term Care and Member of Provincial Parliament for Ajax; and John Tory, Mayor of Toronto.
The Government of Canada is investing more than $13.6 million in these projects through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream (CVRIS), and the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream (CCRIS) of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure plan.
The Government of Ontario is providing more than $8.3 million, with recipients contributing over $5.6 million towards their respective projects. Among projects funded through CVRIS are eight components of the City of Toronto’s Ravine Strategy to improve the City’s active transportation infrastructure.
Project work includes the construction of a new connection from Meadoway Trail to Highland Creek Trail, as well as upgrades to trails through Taylor Creek Park and Rowntree Mills Park, including trail reconstruction and site drainage.
(The Meadoway is a 16km community-powered greenspace that stretches from downtown Toronto to Rouge National Urban Park.)
Additional work involves a new trail wayfinding signage in ravines at the East Don Trail, Upper Highland Trail, Meadoway and Upper Black Creek. Finally, upgrades to existing entry points at approximately seven ravines across the city, including Edwards Gardens, will improve community access to green spaces.
The Toronto Ravine Strategy project will increase access to public and private greenspace. This will provide residents with accessible and reliable trail systems and outdoor spaces to help them maintain a healthy and active lifestyle while staying safe.
Other projects funded through CVRIS will support important upgrades to HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), humidifiers, and heating systems in longterm care homes across the city, providing residents with a more comfortable living environment.
These investments will also improve the safety of homes for both residents and long-term care workers. Funding announced today will also support improvements to community, cultural and recreation facilities throughout the city, such as the rehabilitation of the Don Montgomery Community Centre, improving accessibility and quality of visitor experience at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre; renovations to the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, and improved accessibility at the Toronto Zoo.
Once completed, the projects announced today will provide all Torontonians with safer access to quality, cultural and recreational facilities, encouraging families and friends to reconnect, stay active, and enjoy the abundant cultural experiences throughout the city.
• Through the Investing in Canada plan, the federal government 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.
Bill Blair said: “Investments in local infrastructure are critical to the well-being of our communities. Today’s announcement of over $2 million to the Don Montgomery Community Recreation Centre in Scarborough Southwest through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream, and nearly $12 million for 13 other projects across the City of Toronto, will assist with facility rehabilitation costs and help ensure that the residents of Scarborough and Toronto have places to gather for years to come.”
Adam Vaughan said: “Recreation and cultural spaces are at the heart of inclusive, sustainable, and welcoming communities where people want to live, work and raise a family. “Together with our partners, we are supporting improvements to 14 projects that will provide residents of Toronto with accessible, safe, and modern recreation and cultural spaces where they can stay fit, explore local heritage, or enjoy a range of cultural activities.”
