Municipalities of Saskatchewan welcomes the Government of Canada’s investments in hometowns through broadband and infrastructure funding, as announced in the 2021-22 federal budget.
“Connectivity is at the forefront of our business and home lives,” said Municipalities of Saskatchewan President Rodger Hayward. “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of being able to connect virtually. The additional $1 billion to support a more rapid rollout of broadband projects is a welcome investment for our communities.”
The federal budget supports municipal infrastructure through multiple investments including additional funding for the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund and $500 million over two years in community revitalization funding.
“Strong hometowns are critical to our economy,” said Hayward. “Funding announced in the federal budget, and other recently announced federal investments, are fundamental to creating stronger hometowns.”
As municipalities are responsible for the infrastructure that residents rely on daily, from delivering safe drinking water to waste management, Municipalities of Saskatchewan welcomes the additional $2.2 billion through the federal Gas Tax Fund (the new Canada Community-Building Fund). The one-time transfer doubles the federal government’s commitment to municipalities.
“As the order of government closest to the people, we understand the needs of our communities,” said Hayward. “Funding through the federal Gas Tax Fund allows us to meet the individual needs of our communities.”
Municipalities of Saskatchewan appreciates the economic development support, as recommended by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Western Economic Solutions Taskforce, for hard-hit resource-based communities. However, Municipalities of Saskatchewan would like to see even more support in getting those resources to market.
