TORONTO—The federal and provincial governments are providing joint funding for 14 projects to improve community and active transportation infrastructure in the city of Toronto.
Prior to the election call, the Government of Canada announced it planned to invest more than $13.6 million in the projects through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream (CVRIS) and the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure plan, the Government of Ontario is providing more than $8.3 million and recipients contributing over $5.6 million towards their respective projects.
Among projects funded through the CVRIS are eight components of the City of Toronto’s Ravine Strategy to improve the city’s active transportation infrastructure and increase access to public and private greenspace.
Project work includes the construction of a new connection from Meadoway Trail to Highland Creek Trail, as well as upgrades to trails through Taylor Creek Park and Rowntree Mills Park, including trail reconstruction and site drainage, states a release. The work involves new trail wayfinding signs in ravines at the East Don Trail, Upper Highland Trail, Meadoway and Upper Black Creek and upgrades to existing entry points at about seven ravines across the city.
Other projects include upgrades to heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) in long-term care homes; the rehabilitation of the Don Montgomery Community Centre; improving accessibility at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre; renovations to the Young Centre for the Performing Arts; and improved accessibility at the Toronto Zoo.
“During the pandemic, it was made clear that recreational and outdoor facilities play a great role in providing residents places to get out and get physical activity,” said Toronto Mayor John Tory in a statement. “Investments towards our Ravine Strategy for example will help us move forward in protecting and maintaining ravines and trails across our city. As a city, we know how important these services are and we continue to invest in them but we know we cannot do it alone. By working with the federal and provincial governments we can make changes quickly and ensure that we are continuously maintaining and updating our facilities for generations to come.”