The health and well-being of Canadians are the top priorities of the governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island. But the COVID-19 pandemic has affected more than Canadians’ personal health. It is having a profound effect on the economy.
That is why governments have been taking decisive action together to support families, businesses and communities, and continue to look ahead to see what more can be done. Today, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown, the Honourable Dennis King, Premier of Prince Edward Island, and the Honourable Brad Trivers, Minister of Education and Lifelong Learning, announced funding for the purchase of 12 new electric school buses.
The 12 electric school buses will replace 12 diesel-powered buses in the upcoming year. This new fleet of electric buses will lower carbon emissions and provide students with more sustainable transportation. This project also includes the installation of a dozen electric charging stations.
The Government of Canada is investing $2.1 million and the Government of Prince Edward Island is contributing $2.7 million in this project through the Green Infrastructure stream of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan.
Quotes
“Investing in green infrastructure is an essential part of building livable, modern communities now and for generations to come. These new electric buses will replace an aging fleet of buses, helping get students to school and back, and supporting a cleaner future for islanders. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities.”
The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
Quick facts
- Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
- $26.9 billion of this funding is supporting green infrastructure in Canadian communities.
- The Government of Canada has invested more than $363 million in 131 infrastructure projects across Prince Edward Island under the Investing in Canada
- To support Canadians and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new stream has been added to the over $33-billion Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to help fund pandemic-resilient infrastructure. Existing program streams have also been adapted to include more eligible project categories.
- The COVID-19 Resilience Stream will help other orders of governments whose finances have been significantly impacted by the pandemic by increasing the federal cost share for public infrastructure projects.
Associated links
Investing in COVID-19 Community Resilience:
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/covid-19-resilience-eng.html
Investing in Canada Plan Project Map:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map
Federal infrastructure investments on Prince Edward Island: https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-pe-eng.html
Investing in Canada: Canada’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html
Natural Resources Canada’s Smart Grid Program:
https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/climate-change/green-infrastructure-programs/smart-grids/19793