RIVERTON, MB, April 29,
2024 /CNW/ - The Interlake Region of
Manitoba will benefit from
on-demand public transit with an investment of $97,971 from the federal government.
Announced by Minister Sean Fraser
and Reeve Brian N. Johnson, this project will provide
residents, including seniors and persons with disabilities, with
accessible public transportation options to do their day-to-day
activities, such as attending medical appointments.
Funding will support the purchase of a wheelchair accessible van
to provide transit services to communities located in the Interlake
Region of Manitoba, including the
Municipality of Bifrost-Riverton, Pine Dock, and Hecla & Grindstone
Provincial Park.
This project aligns with the vision for a Green Prairie Economy
that is prosperous, sustainable, and benefits everyone. By
investing in infrastructure, the federal and provincial governments
are growing the economy, building resilient communities, and
improving the lives of residents.
Quotes
"Investing in public transit infrastructure fosters economic
growth, reduces air pollution, and creates inclusive communities
with access to essential services and jobs. By improving
transportation services in the Municipality of Bifrost-Riverton and
surrounding areas, we are helping connect residents to affordable
and accessible places to live and work. We will continue to support
projects like this that help Manitobans prosper and live
independent and fuller lives for generations to come."
The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing,
Infrastructure and Communities
"The Handi-van service makes a significant contribution towards
reducing the isolation and transportation barriers faced by rural
residents, as well as fostering the activities of community and
recreation groups. The purchase of the new wheelchair accessible
van ensures that this valuable resource will remain in our
community."
Reeve Brian N. Johnson, Municipality of
Bifrost-Riverton
Quick facts
- The federal government is investing $97,971 in this project through the Rural Transit
Solutions Fund (RTSF), while the Municipality of Bifrost-Riverton
is contributing $24,493.
- RTSF helps Canadians living in rural and remote areas get
around their communities more easily. It supports the development
of rural transit solutions, including new transit service models
that could be replicated or scaled up.
- A minimum of 10% of RTSF's funding is allocated to projects
that benefit Indigenous populations and communities.
- RTSF's Capital Projects stream helps cover capital costs like
the purchase of vehicles or digital platforms, as well as support
for the purchase of zero-emission vehicles. Eligible applicants
were able to seek contributions of up to $3
million to help cover the capital costs of a new or expanded
transit solution (e.g., purchase of vehicles or digital platforms),
and up to $5 million to support
zero-emission transit solutions (e.g., for the purchase of a
zero-emission vehicle(s)). This stream closed on February 28, 2024.
- RTSF's Planning and Design Projects continuous intake remains
open. Eligible applicants can receive a grant up to $50,000 in support of a communities' projects to
plan and design a new or expanded transit solution for their
communities. Some examples of eligible Planning and Design Projects
activities are assessment of routes and modes of travel,
feasibility studies, public and stakeholder engagement and
surveys.
- One in five Canadians live in rural communities. Rural
communities in Canada account for
nearly 30% of the nation's gross domestic product.
- RTSF complements Canada's
strengthened climate plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy
Economy. Through the plan the federal government has committed to
providing federal funding for public transit in support of making
clean and affordable transportation available in every
community.
- Since 2015, the federal government has committed over
$30 billion for public transit and
active transportation projects. These historic investments have
resulted in close to 2000 projects across the country.
- As the world moves towards a net-zero economy, people living
and working on the Prairies are taking action and are leading to
take advantage of growing economic development opportunities.
- On December 18, 2023, the federal
government launched the Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy,
which highlights the need for a collaborative, region-specific
approach to sustainability, focusing on strengthening the
coordination of federal programs, and initiatives with significant
investments. This Framework is a first step in a journey that will
bring together multiple stakeholders. PrairiesCan, the
federal department that diversifies the economy across the Canadian
prairies, has dedicated $100 million
over three years to support projects aligned with priority areas
identified by Prairie stakeholders to build a stronger, more
sustainable, and inclusive economy for the Prairie provinces and
Canada.
- Infrastructure Canada is
supporting the Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy to
encourage greater collaboration on investment opportunities,
leverage additional funding, and attract new investments across the
Prairies that better meet their needs.
- Federal funding is conditional on the signing of the
contribution agreement.
Associated links
Rural Transit Solutions Fund
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/rural-trans-rural/index-eng.html
Strengthened Climate Plan
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html
Federal infrastructure investments in Manitoba
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-mb-eng.html
Building a Green Prairie Economy Act
https://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/B-9.88/page-1.html
Building a Green Prairie Economy
https://www.canada.ca/en/prairies-economic-development/programs/green-prairie-economy.html
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SOURCE Infrastructure Canada