The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor, today announced a Government of Canada investment of more than $4.5 million in support of 12 strategic initiatives located in municipalities and Indigenous communities across Northern Ontario. Provided through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF), these investments will help build community infrastructure, revitalize existing assets, and stimulate the economy while bringing people back to public spaces safely. In addition, these investments will help create over 150 construction jobs and up to 37 additional full-time positions.
The CCRF was launched in June 2021. The Fund provides $500 million over two years to Canada’s regional development agencies (RDAs) to invest in shared and inclusive public spaces. As public health restrictions ease, the Government of Canada remains committed to investing in shared spaces to make them safer, greener and more accessible. This in turn will stimulate local economies, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for Canadians.
The following municipalities will receive funding from the program:
Village of Burk’s Falls
$674,305
The Village of Burk’s Falls will receive $674,305 from FedNor to construct an indoor/outdoor marketplace in the downtown core. Specifically, the project will consist of a two-storey building including an open-air market along the downtown. This facility will provide a home for local artists, crafters, agricultural businesses, and other organizations to promote their skills, wares, and produce, and will support local enterprises in growing into larger spaces and storefronts. This project was developed following the downtown revitalization and waterfront development plan completed in 2018, and provides the community with an opportunity to create a main attraction and focal point in the core of the downtown that stimulates business growth. Five construction jobs during development are anticipated to be created by this project with 12 additional jobs created and/or maintained upon completion.
“We are very happy that the funds announced today will allow us to construct our marketplace building. This project is a cornerstone to upgrading and revitalizing our downtown, and the addition of a focal point like the marketplace will allow our economy to continue to grow in step with our local community. It’s great to see the Government of Canada investing in Burk’s Falls and the Almaguin Highlands, and communities across Northern Ontario,” stated Cathy Still, Mayor of Burk’s Falls.
Town of Bracebridge
$500,000
The Town of Bracebridge will benefit from a FedNor investment of $500,000 to support the construction of a new, multi-purpose community recreation centre in the downtown core. The facility is expected to be approximately 11,000 square metres, and will house an arena, a main branch public library, an auditorium, a multi-sport fieldhouse, an indoor track, heating spectator spaces, a concession/café, common lobby, meeting spaces, and outdoor play spaces and trails. The facility and its integrated services delivery model will meet the recreation, sport, active living, wellness, and cultural needs of all area residents and visitors. This project is anticipated to create 100 construction jobs throughout development stages and will create and/or maintain 15 jobs upon completion.
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