As our economy recovers from the impact of COVID-19, the Government of Canada is stepping up efforts to help Northern Ontario municipalities, First Nation communities and organizations not only survive, but strengthen and build for a sustainable future.
During a virtual event on Thursday morning, The Honourable Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing-Timiskaming revealed the details of several projects for the riding, resulting in over $2.4 million invested in the communities of; Temiskaming Shores, Powassan, Bonfield and Nipissing.
“Building up community infrastructure is vital to the long-term success of Nipissing-Timiskaming,” says Rota.
“Support to our downtown cores, our community centres, and our parks and greenspaces will help us on our road to economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. Now is the time to invest in the shared public spaces that will safely bring people together and help communities grow and thrive well into the future.”
The first project is a $500,000 investment to enable the City of Temiskaming Shores to revitalize the Don Shepherdson Memorial Arena, the community’s primary indoor recreation complex. This targeted investment will improve accessibility, increase energy efficiencies, reduce the arena’s carbon footprint and significantly extend the life of this important community asset. Specific upgrades include a fully accessible main entrance and concession counter, renovated washrooms, new foyer, LED lighting and four accessible viewing spaces, as well as the installation of new air quality monitoring sensors and a video display board.
Carman Kidd, Mayor of the City of Temiskaming Shores says, “The City of Temiskaming Shores would like to thank M.P. Rota and Fed Nor for supporting this great project for our community. Without the continued support of our federal government partners, communities across the region would not be able to sustain these great community centers that provide activities for families in our area. We welcome this funding which will ensure that the Don Shepherdson Memorial Arena not only becomes more accessible to all members of our community but will receive upgrades that will make the facility more energy efficient and sustainable for families to enjoy for many years to come.”
The second project will see $499,000 invested, helping the Municipality of Powassan reimagine and revitalize its main community park area, located in the downtown core. Identified as a strategic priority in the community’s Recreation Master Plan, this project involves relocating playground structures and creating a new accessible structure and surface to amplify existing equipment. The funding will also be used to upgrade municipal infrastructure, maximize the use of existing greenspaces, create a new parking area and covered walkway, and provide fully accessible access to the recreation centre and curling club. Improved lighting, bleachers, fencing and washroom facilities will also help improve safety and accessibility at the municipality’s downtown park and playground amenities.
Peter McIsaac, Mayor of the Municipality of Powassan says, “While municipalities have always known recreation spaces are a key factor in what draws people to, and keeps people engaged in their communities, the COVID pandemic displayed just how dependent we are on active play and safe outdoor spaces for our health and wellbeing.The Municipality of Powassan is very fortunate to receive this Canada Community Revitalization Funding, facilitated in the North through Fednor to invest in our aging recreation spaces. These funds will be an important first step to creating a more accessible, and safe playground, park and parking area while amplifying a space our residents have enjoyed with their families for many years.”
A third project will take place in Bonfield. The Township will receive $495,480 to support infrastructure upgrades at Kaibuskong and Centennial Parks. Specific upgrades to Kaibuskong Park include a new splash pad, all-weather outdoor accessible fitness park and a pathway to access the park. Enhancements to Centennial Park’s waterfront area include improving parking, the play structure and picnic area, as well as improving dock access for fishing, kayaking, and outdoor enthusiasts. Once complete, this project will create new spaces for residents and tourists to safely socialize, exercise, play, picnic, walk and interact with nature and the natural beauty of Bonfield.
Randy McLaren, Mayor of the Township of Bonfield says, “As Mayor of the Township of Bonfield, I wish to express on behalf of our citizens our appreciation and excitement related to this funding. The enhancements to our waterfront that it provides will be enjoyed by all ages and create a very active community location.”
And The Township of Nipissing is receiving $62,720 in funding to purchase and install playground equipment at Heritage Park. Specific additions include play structures for children aged 18 months to 5 years and from 5 to 12 years of age, as well as appropriate ground cover for safety and accessibility. Located in the heart of the community, the structures will be open to the public, serve as an outdoor gathering space, and encourage residents and visitors to visit nearby stores and the local museum.
Tom Piper, Mayor for the Township of Nipissing says, “We are grateful for the contribution of the FedNor Funding to help our Township install a community play area at a time when everyone wants to come back together and make happy memories. This project will help transform a green space into a community gathering spot and enhance the space for the enjoyment of all residents and visitors to our municipality.”
This funding is part of a FedNor investment of more than $10.9 million to support 29 strategic initiatives located in municipalities and Indigenous communities across Northern Ontario through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF).
Rota says, “These investments will help build community infrastructure, revitalize existing assets, and stimulate the economy, while bringing people back to public spaces safely as health measures ease.”
Meantime, mining and related industries are a cornerstone of the national economy, employing more than 630,000 people across the country and contributing approximately $100 billion annually to Canada’s GDP. In Ontario alone, the mining supply and service sectors generate an estimated $10 billion annually and support an additional 23,000 high-quality jobs throughout the region.
As such, $852,500 will be invested by FedNor to enable the City of Temiskaming Shores to showcase Northern Ontario mining businesses and organizations on the world stage at two separate events in 2022.
Of the total, FedNor funding of $695,000 will enable the City of Temiskaming Shores to establish the eighth annual Northern Ontario Mining Showcase (NOMS) pavilion at the 2022 Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) International Convention in Toronto (June 13-15). The remaining $157,500 will allow the city to create an in-person NOMS exhibit at the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy & Petroleum (CIM) annual convention that will take place in Vancouver (May 1-4). The two showcase events will help increase export opportunities for participating businesses and organizations, and help them access new markets, explore partnership opportunities and increase sales.
Rota says, “Northern Ontario’s mining sector is a key economic driver that is helping fuel sustainable growth and job creation, while paving the way for a strong recovery and the long-term success of our region. This is an investment to maximize opportunities for businesses in the mining sector in Nipissing-Timiskaming,”
Carman Kidd, Mayor of the City of Temiskaming Shores says, “The City of Temiskaming Shores is proud to be the lead of this successful pavilion to promote mining supply & service companies from across Northern Ontario. The Northern Ontario Mining Showcase at PDAC has seen over $100 million in new sales created for companies across the region since we began eight years ago, and hundreds of new jobs created across the North. With the addition of a NOMS pavilion at CIM this year, we expect those numbers to climb even more! The project is creating real economic development in communities across Northern Ontario by increasing wealth and creating new well-paying jobs to sustain the economy of the region. Temiskaming Shores is a community poised for growth in the mining supply & service sector and ready to work with regional partners to ensure that mining supply and service sector thrives in our region.”
Watch the announcement here: https://youtu.be/mhj8muqoM4Q
