Government of Canada Announces Investments in Schools to Protect Against COVID-19

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*Please see below a joint news release issued by the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario.News Release - Government of Canada  Halton Region – April 15, 2021 - The health and safety of all Canadians is the top priority for the Government of Canada. Communities across Canada are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and need immediate assistance to ensure their public infrastructure is safe and reliable. That is why the Government of Canada has been taking decisive action to support families, businesses and communities, and continue to look ahead to see what more can be done in these unprecedented times. This funding of over $19 million to the HDSB and over $6 million to the HCDSB will foster a safe and healthy environment for our valued educators, students, parents, and school staff. The wellbeing of our community is of the utmost importance as we continue the fight against COVID-19. On April 14, 2021, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, alongside provincial Ministers the Honourable Laurie Scott, Minister of Infrastructure, and the Honourable Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, announced $656.5 million in joint funding through the COVID-19 Resilience Stream. This will support over 9,800 projects at almost 3,900 schools and co-located childcare facilities across 74 school boards in Ontario. The majority of funding will support ventilation projects that improve air quality in classrooms across the province. Projects include HVAC renovations to improve air quality, installing water bottle refilling stations to improve access to safe drinking water, investing in network and broadband infrastructure to support remote learning, and space reconfigurations such as new walls and doors to enhance physical distancing. The COVID-19 stream, implemented in response to the pandemic, allows Government of Canada to invest up to 80% in projects that support provinces and up to 100% in projects that support territories and Indigenous communities in their response to the pandemic. Quotes: “A safe and healthy environment is integral to the education and wellbeing of our kids, teachers and school support staff, here in Burlington and across the country. Cleaner air, more access to drinking water and handwashing stations will make our Ontario schools healthier places to learn. I am glad the Government of Canada is leading a Team Canada approach resulting in direct action to keep our learners and educators safe as we fight Covid-19 with important investments in our school infrastructure.” - The Hon. Karina Gould, Member of Parliament for Burlington “Investing in the health and safety of students in our schools is one of the most important things our government can do. This joint federal and provincial investment in Halton schools will help reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission through better air quality, better physical distancing and more hand washing stations. This investment ensures Halton students will have the best, healthiest possible environment to learn and succeed in.” - Pam Damoff, Member of Parliament for Oakville North-Burlington “As we prepare for a future post-pandemic, it is vital that the health and safety of all Canadians remains a top priority. This joint funding from the federal and provincial governments through the COVID-19 Resilience Stream will improve air quality, better support physical distancing and invest in infrastructure for remote learning. Today’s announcement will ensure that students, teachers and school staff in Halton Region remain safe and in a healthy learning environment.” - The Hon. Anita Anand, Member of Parliament for Oakville “I am so proud of our government's commitment to ensure that staff, students, and faculty across Halton will have a safe and healthy environment to learn and work in. With increases in air ventilation, water quality, broadband support for at home learning and investments in outdoor learning and play spaces - our government is working hard to ensure that our schools are a healthier and safer space to learn, work and grow.” - Adam van Koeverden, Member of Parliament for Milton   Quick facts: 

  • Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada 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. Ontario is investing $10.2 billion in this program. 
  • To support Canadians and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, a COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure stream has been added to the over $33-billion Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to help fund pandemic-resilient infrastructure. Existing program streams have also been adapted to include more eligible project categories. 
  • Through the COVID-19 Resilience stream, over $3 billion is available to provide provinces and territories with added flexibility to fund quick-start, short term projects. 
  •  Under the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure stream, the federal cost share for public infrastructure projects is 80 per cent in the provinces, and 100 per cent in the territories and for projects intended for Indigenous communities. 
  • The Government of Canada has invested over $8.3 billion in 2,876 infrastructure projects across Ontario under the Investing in Canada plan. 
  • The Halton District School Board will be receiving $19,408,881 and the Halton Catholic District School Board will be receiving $6,792,719.  

 Contacts: Madeleine CaseCommunity Engagement OfficerOffice of the Hon. Karina Gould, Member of Parliament for BurlingtonKarina.gould.c1a@parl.gc.ca—PLEASE NOTE: To stay updated on what the City of Burlington is doing regarding COVID-19, please visit the dedicated pages burlington.ca/coronavirus (and subscribe) and bit.ly/mayormeedwardCOVID19updates, and our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page — bit.ly/COVID19BurlingtonFAQ that are updated as new information becomes available.A consolidated page for information and updates on the work of the provincial Ministers’ COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force is available at bit.ly/COVIDVaccineUpdates.Halton Region has also created a dedicated COVID-19 Vaccine webpage at halton.ca/covidvaccines for up to date information on the status of our COVID19 vaccination program.A Burlington COVID-19 Task Force has been created to help support our community through this unprecedented emergency — updates will be provided at burlington.ca/COVID19taskforce.To report an incident of non-compliance with provincial emergency orders, please contact the Halton Regional Police Service COVID-19 Hotline: 905-825-4722.We’ve also created a dedicated page to feature the local organizations and businesses that have inspired us during the COVID-19 pandemic by taking action to support our community in new and creative ways — head to bit.ly/covidwallofinspiration.HELPFUL RESOURCES & RELATED LINKS:

—*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor’s Media and Digital Communications Specialist

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