Marc Serré
Our communities are facing unprecedented circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The safety and wellbeing of all Canadians remains our top priority and all levels of government are working to invest in financial support for individuals and businesses as communities weather this storm.
It is too premature to offer a specific date, but government officials are working hard to develop a framework to reopen the country safely and jump start the economy. One of the key areas that could help us stimulate the economy would be to capitalize on the $180 billion in infrastructure spending that has been approved through to 2028. This fund provided through the Investing in Canada fund aims to create long-term economic growth, supports a low carbon green economy and helps build inclusive communities.
Since 2015 communities in Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury have seen historic investments from the federal government in infrastructure with over $210 million allocated to help build local projects. This funding has led to the construction of community spaces and housing projects and updates to municipal water and sewage systems.
It also supported the construction of notable road projects like Maley Drive, Hartley Bay road and other roads in rural Nickel Belt -- Greater Sudbury communities and the revitalization of the four-laning of Highway 69, just to name a few. These projects have created economic growth through job creation and enhancing capacity for tourism in the region.
The COVID-19 pandemic has proven there certainly is more work to do to further expand broadband infrastructure especially in rural areas like ours. Students at all academic levels are now forced out of the classroom attempting to achieve an education from home and individuals tasked to work from home are encountering difficulties accessing reliable and affordable high-speed Internet to get their tasks done.
In an effort to stimulate the economy quickly in post-pandemic circumstances there could be a focus on “shovel-ready” projects; for instance, projects smaller in size and scale that could be quickly prioritized and approved by municipal governments. In turn this would help create much needed jobs and help rebuild our once strong economy.
As most of the funds for these programs have been filtered to the provinces through the bilateral agreements, the provincial government will have a close collaborative role to play with municipalities.This will ensure that dollars can flow quickly to build long-lasting and quality infrastructure that benefits communities for generations to come.
I encourage all Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury communities, business leaders, organizations, and stakeholders to gather their projects and keep the lines of communication open with our office. This will enhance our ability to prioritize key projects such as public transit, transportation, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, affordable housing, and trade.
Our communities have shown incredible resilience and patience in navigating through this pandemic. Businesses, individuals and so many community organizations have stepped up to offer a helping hand and have made a real positive impact for those in need.
Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury is known for its community spirit and will certainly persevere. Collaboration is key as we weather this storm. We must keep focused on what matters to Northern Ontario residents as we move forward to the eventual reopening of our markets.
Marc Serré is the Liberal MP for Nickel Belt.
