The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, or ICIP Grant as it is referred to, refers to the Canadian and Saskatchewan governments signing a bilateral agreement in October of 2018 for the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP). The program will provide more than $896 million in federal funding for all types of Saskatchewan infrastructure projects over 10 years until 2028.
ICIP investments will benefit Saskatchewan residents by providing a cleaner environment by reducing soil and air pollutants; improvements to drinking water, wastewater and/or stormwater systems; increased capacity for disaster mitigation; reduced greenhouse gas emissions; enhanced public parks, recreational facilities and other spaces that make communities great places to live; faster commutes and travel times and easier movement of goods for businesses; better transportation and digital infrastructure for people living in remote communities.
Several of the local municipalities have applied for this grant including Saltcoats, who will be using their ICIP grant for the first phase of their landfill decommissioning as Mayor Gordon Barnhart explains, “Saltcoats received an ICIP grant. This money will be used toward engineering and planning for the decommissioning of our landfill. This step will bring us to the stage where we can go to tender to decommission next. We didn’t apply for the whole amount to decommission because at this stage, we cannot afford our third if we are given a grant for the full process. As you are aware, the ICIP grant is 1/3 shares from federal, provincial and municipal governments. We will apply again for the final stage when we can afford it. One step at a time.”
The Town of Saltcoats will prepare and implement a corrective action and closure plan, including grading, cap barrier and topsoil placement for the Landfill Corrective Action and Closure. The federal government granted $76,840, the provincial government contributes $64,027 and the Town of Saltcoats is providing the remaining $51,233.
Canadians everywhere have felt the impact of COVID-19 on their families, their livelihoods and their way of life. Canada and Saskatchewan have worked together to ensure health and safety, support families and businesses, and sustain local economies. Investments in Saskatchewan’s infrastructure during this extraordinary time provide an opportunity to make communities more sustainable and resilient in the long run, and to further develop our renewable energy resources.
Jim Carr, the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for the Prairies, on behalf of Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Saskatchewan’s Government Relations Minister Don McMorris, announced more than $53 million in joint funding for 24 recreation and green infrastructure projects in Saskatchewan.
Investments in water and wastewater infrastructure in several Saskatchewan municipalities will improve capacity to meet current and future demand while ensuring continued compliance with provincial and federal regulations.
Providing communities with reliable, eco-friendly, and sustainable infrastructure is a shared priority for both governments. The Government of Canada is investing more than $31.1 million in these 24 projects through the Investing in Canada plan, with the Government of Saskatchewan providing more than $22.7 million. Contributions by recipients toward their respective projects are more than $7.2 million.
Quick facts: 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.
In Saskatchewan, Infrastructure Canada has invested more than $721 million in over 400 infrastructure projects under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
By Gary Horseman
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
garyfourtownjournal@gmail.com
Four-Town+ Journal