Over the coming months, more than $17 million worth of construction work will start so that local communities continue to access a sufficient quantity of high-quality water. The Ontario Government is chipping in $6,368,884 as part of a partnership with the Federal Government to assist municipalities in the Counties and Cornwall. The investment will upgrade water reservoirs in North Dundas, water treatment and water mains in South Glengarry, water transmission and valves in Cornwall, water mains in South Dundas, water mains, and control valves in South Stormont, and place a new well and install backup generators in North Stormont. These vital green infrastructure projects are among 144 announced for Ontario, made possible with a $140.5 million investment from Ontario, $190.2 million from Infrastructure Canada, and $108.5 million from individual municipalities.
The Government took another step this week, ensuring our transportation network infrastructure will continue to improve, with the release of Connecting the East: A Draft Transportation Plan for Eastern Ontario. This document will be a key to unlocking the potential for housing, jobs and tourism while safeguarding corridors for trade between the region, the rest of the province, Quebec, and the U.S. The plan includes calls for local and intercommunity busing improvements, building more truck stops along Highway 401 and establishing a new marine strategy. The Government developed the plan after receiving feedback from MPP-held public roundtables, including a special session with Indigenous communities, an online survey, in-depth research, and technical work. The plan is a living document that will continue to evolve as new needs emerge through further input. A related transportation project received Connecting Links funding approval this week. The City of Cornwall is receiving $274,752 from the province to undertake an environmental assessment for a portion of Brookdale Avenue. The study is part of the city’s efforts to upgrade its street network, improving traffic flow and safety.
We continue to ensure that non-profit organizations have the resources to provide services and programs that enhance the quality of life for local residents. This week, I was happy to announce that seven organizations will receive Resilient Communities Fund grants totalling $609,500. They are the Association Canadienne-française de l’Ontario – Stormont, Dundas et Glengarry (ACFO-SDG), Beyond 21, Centre Charles-Émile-Claude, centre polyvalent des aîné(e)s inc., Cornwall Township Lions Club, Habitat for Humanity Seaway Valley, Seaway Senior Citizens Club #1201, and Seaway Valley Theatre Company. The funds are targeted to help these groups rebound from the impacts of the pandemic and allow them to continue to serve their communities.
On July 29, 2021, we announced a Canada-Ontario broadband partnership. This agreement will bring high-speed internet access to more than 280,000 households across Ontario with a total investment of more than $1.2 billion, co-funded equally by both levels of Government. This week’s announcement includes the placement of fibre cable to connect households in Glendale with the internet at a minimum of 50 Mbps.
