MARKSTAY-WARREN —The governments of Canada and Ontario recognize the different ways that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted smaller and rural communities across the province. Both governments are making strategic investments in infrastructure to meet the specific needs of rural and northern Ontario municipalities and help them strengthen their local economies.
Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Canada’s Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development; and the Honourable John Yakabuski, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, and Member of Provincial Parliament for Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, on behalf of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure, announced funding for eight road and bridge projects in Northern Ontario. They were joined by his Worship, Stephen Salonin, Mayor of the Municipality of Markstay-Warren.
These projects will improve various streets, roads, and a bridge. In Markstay-Warren, $4.4 million in federal and provincial funding is being invested in resurfacing, improvements to shoulders and drainage, and the replacement of driveway culverts for approximately 5.5 kilometers of streets. The project will improve road safety and reliability.
In Wasauksing First Nation – Parry Island, the reconstruction of about 16 kilometres of Wawbawzee Road will improve access to the First Nation territory for residents, visitors, and emergency vehicles, year-round.
In addition, the reconstruction of the Krugerdorf Bridge will replace the current 3-span, 60 metre bridge with a shorter span, improving drainage and the roadway. The new bridge will be safer and more reliable for residents of the Township of Chamberlain.
The Government of Canada is investing over $16.7 million in these projects through the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The Government of Ontario is contributing more than $8.3 million for these important infrastructure projects in these communities, while municipalities are contributing over $2.7 million towards the projects and the Wasauksing First Nation is contributing $330,215 towards its project.
The governments of Canada and Ontario are working in collaboration with their partners to support jobs, improve communities, and build confidence as we safely and sustainably restore economic growth.