$5.2 million. Come and get it, Northern Ontario!

NEWS RELEASE

BRYAN HAYES, SAULT MP

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Today Bryan Hayes, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie,  announces the Canada 150 fund, encouraging Saultites to get involved in the celebration of the country’s 150th anniversary of Confederation - a pivotal milestone in our nationhood.

Economic Action Plan 2015 created a new dedicated infrastructure fund to improve existing community infrastructure in all regions of the country, as part of the Government of Canada’s coordinated approach to celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation.

Canada 150 programming will aim to make the most of government investments and generate economic spin-offs for communities of all sizes across the country.

Under the theme “Giving back to Canada,” the new Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program supports projects that rehabilitate, renovate and expand existing community infrastructure.

The program is being delivered by the regional development agencies across Canada.

FedNor is delivering the program in Northern Ontario with an allocation of $5.2 million over two years, beginning April 1, 2016.

How do I apply?       

FedNor is currently accepting applications on a continuous basis.

Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply online at fednor.gc.ca/CIP.

Who can apply?

• Municipalities, First Nations and Aboriginal organizations and their related entities
• Not-for-profit organizations

What projects are eligible?

The program supports the rehabilitation, improvement and expansion of existing community infrastructure such as improving accessibility to a community centre, repairing a museum’s roof, expanding a gymnasium, or extending a community dock, for example.

Examples of eligible infrastructure include:

• community and cultural centres (including legion halls)
• museums
• libraries
• parks
• recreational facilities such as local arenas, gymnasia, swimming pools and sports fields
• cenotaphs
• other existing community infrastructure that will have a public benefit.

The construction of new infrastructure, temporary installations, moveable equipment or infrastructure expansions of more than 50 percent in size are ineligible.

For detailed eligibility requirements, please refer to the Program Guidelines at fednor.gc.ca/CIP.

What are the funding conditions?

• Projects must provide long-term benefits to a community, leaving a meaningful and lasting legacy to Canada’s 150th anniversary;
• Projects must be community-oriented, non-commercial in nature and open for use to the public and not limited to a private membership;
• Total Government of Canada funding cannot exceed 50 percent of the total eligible project costs to a maximum contribution of $500,000;
• Projects must be construction-ready and fully completed by March 31, 2018.

Other considerations

Preference may be given to projects that:

• require less than 50 percent funding
• can be materially completed by December 31, 2017
• have confirmed funding from other sources for projects starting prior to April 1, 2016.

Expected results

The Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program will leave a meaningful and lasting legacy to Canada’s 150th anniversary. Expected results include:

• modernization of existing community infrastructure facilities or assets
• fostering increased regional / community-based partnerships

For more details on the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program, including full eligibility criteria, please visit the FedNor website at fednor.gc.ca/CIP

“I encourage all organizations in Sault Ste. Marie to consider making an application for the Canada 150 Fund. Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017 is set to be an exceptional year for Canadians and their communities,” said Bryan Hayes, MP for Sault Ste. Marie.

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