Canada and Prince Edward Island reach agreement under new federal infrastructure funding programs

The governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island are making investments that will help create jobs and grow the middle class now while building a strong foundation for a sustainable economic future. Investing in local infrastructure helps ensure that Canadians have safe water to drink, wastewater systems they can rely on, and high-quality public transit systems that get them to work on time and back home safely at the end of a long day.

The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable H. Wade MacLauchlan, Premier of Prince Edward Island and the Honourable Paula Biggar, Prince Edward Island Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy announced a bilateral agreement that will make more than $112 million in combined funding available under two new federal programs – the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund and the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund – and supported by provincial government infrastructure programs. The federal government is providing up to 50 per cent of funding for the projects supported through these programs. The provincial government and municipalities provide the balance of funding.

“We are very pleased to have reached an agreement for Prince Edward Island, done in solid partnership with the province, which will make funding available so that PEI communities can address their infrastructure priorities, while helping grow the middle class with good, well-paying jobs,” said MacAulay.

The agreement is part of Phase 1 of the 10 year Investing in Canada plan, which will help lay the foundation for the longer-term federal investment strategy.

Also announced was an initial list of 23 approved projects under the two new funding programs including Tignish’s Sewage Treatment Plant upgrades that will increase the existing facility’s capacity to treat wastewater and therefore better protect the environment, as well as transit upgrades in Charlottetown that will make public transit more inclusive across the city in addition to cutting commute times for everyone.