More federal funding for Northern communities to help improve public spaces during the pandemic

A federal government program has set aside more than $400,000 for Northern Ontario communities "to transform public spaces in response to COVID-19.”

The money is being provided as part of Round-2 of the Canada Healthy Community Initiative (CHCI), which has allocated $406,740 for several areas in Northern Ontario. This includes the Sudbury, North Bay and Area,Temiskaming, Algoma and Thunder Bay Community Foundations initiatives.

Community organizations are being invited to submit applications for funding for things such as creating safer public spaces, improving mobility options or providing digital solutions that can help their neighbourhoods navigate the pandemic and have options for recovery from the impact of COVID-19.

"This funding is part of the Government of Canada’s $31 million Healthy Communities Initiative. This investment by the federal government will support community-led organizations in developing local, small-scale infrastructure projects that respond to the immediate needs arising from COVID-19, while building towards a more pandemic-resilient future," said a CHCI news release.  

The online portal for accepting applications is open and the deadline is 5 p.m. PST  (8 p.m. EST) on Friday June 25, 2021. Applications can be made for funding grants ranging between $5,000 and $250,000 for new community projects related to improvements. 

Applicants who did not receive funding in Round 1 may re-apply to Round 2 but there is no funding guarantee. Review committees will start meeting on July 23, 2021 and all applicants will receive results by Sept. 16, 2021, at the latest.

CHCI said this could include projects that adapt crosswalks and access to public transport to allow for safe physical distancing, the creation of community gardens, and art installations, and free wifi in targeted public spaces. A variety of community-led organizations are eligible to apply, including local governments, charities, Indigenous communities, and registered non-profit organizations. 

As a reference, CHCI included a list of Northern Ontario projects that were funded during Round 1 earlier in 2021. 

• $250,000 was invested to fund Noojmowin Teg Health Centre for a Mobile Community Food Hub
• $84,500 was invested to fund Algoma University for a Reclaiming Space and Honouring Resilience project
• $82,618 was invested to fund The Municipality of St. Charles for the Picnic and Walking trail project
• $71,516 was invested to fund Downtown North Bay and Waterfront to Transform Public Spaces
• $46,646 was invested to fund Georgian Bay Biosphere for the Feeling Good Outdoors project. 
• $39,100 was invested to fund The Town of Kirkland Lake for the Civic Park Community Engagement Improvements
• $36,000 was invested to fund Myths and Mirrors Community Arts Inc. in Sudbury for the We Keep Each Other Safe project
• $15,000 was invested to fund The Gathering Place, North Bay's Community Soup Kitchen for the Urban Garden Development in Former School site