COWESSESS FIRST NATION, SK,
Sept. 27,
2024 /CNW/ - The federal government is investing
more than $4.4 million in
transportation infrastructure projects across rural Saskatchewan.
Through the funding, Cowessess First
Nation will buy electric vehicles and set up charging
stations, while also building a maintenance facility to support
public transportation services for on-reserve community
members.
The Sturgeon Lake First Nation will build a pedestrian bridge
that connects the community with nearby resources and services.
Currently, pedestrian access to these amenities requires walking
across a narrow bridge shared with vehicular traffic, which has
resulted in several injuries and near-misses due to poor
sightlines.
A detailed list of the projects can be found in the attached
backgrounder.
Quotes
"We are proud to support these projects that will help residents
across rural Saskatchewan get
around their communities easily and conveniently. "
The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing,
Infrastructure and Communities
"At Cowessess First Nation, we
take immense pride in being at the forefront of sustainable energy
projects and initiatives. These efforts are deeply personal to us,
as they align with our values of respect for the land and our
responsibility to future generations. This project represents more
than just a step towards clean energy; it is a reflection of our
commitment to preserving our sacred lands, honoring our traditional
role as stewards of the land, and ensuring that the natural
resources are protected for those who have yet to be born."
Erica Beaudin, Chief of
Cowessess First Nation
"Tansi. In keeping with the Treaty and Fiduciary relations with
the Government of Canada I would like to thank the Active
Transportation Fund for the significant contribution towards Phase
1 of the Sturgeon Lake Active Transportation Project. Community
safety is a priority and this project will provide a much needed
active transportation route to safely cross the Sturgeon River
thereby decreasing the reliance on automotive transportation as
well as greatly reducing the dangers associated with pedestrian
traffic on the newly paved roadway. At the same time this will
provide a safe, non motorized, 1 kilometer trail for the year round
use and enjoyment of membership both young and old. This historic
trail is one of the many used by our forefathers and will now
become a prominent and permanent element of the Sturgeon Lake First
Nation. Kinanaskomitin."
Chief Christina Longjohn,
Sturgeon Lake First Nation Chief & Council
Related products
- Backgrounder: Federal government invests in transportation
infrastructure for communities in rural Saskatchewan
Quick Facts
- The federal government is investing $4,480,416 in these projects through the Rural
Transit Solutions Fund (RTSF) and the Active Transportation Fund
(ATF). Recipients are contributing $188,110 to their respective projects.
- The RTSF helps Canadians living in rural and remote areas get
around their communities more easily. It supports the development
of rural transit solutions, including new transit service models
that could be replicated or scaled up.
- A minimum of 10% of RTSF's funding is allocated to projects
that benefit Indigenous populations and communities.
- Active transportation refers to the movement of people or goods
powered by human activity. It includes walking, cycling and the use
of human-powered or hybrid mobility aids such as wheelchairs,
scooters, e-bikes, rollerblades, snowshoes, cross-country skis, and
more.
- In support of Canada's
National Active Transportation Strategy, the Active Transportation
Fund is providing $400 million over
five years, starting in 2021, to make travel by active
transportation easier, safer, more convenient, and more
enjoyable.
- On December 18, 2023, the federal
government launched the Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy,
which highlights the need for a collaborative, region-specific
approach to sustainability, focusing on strengthening the
coordination of federal programs, and initiatives with significant
investments. This Framework is a first step in a journey that will
bring together multiple stakeholders. PrairiesCan, the federal
department that diversifies the economy across the Canadian
prairies, has dedicated $100 million
over three years to support projects aligned with priority areas
identified by Prairie stakeholders to build a stronger, more
sustainable, and inclusive economy for the Prairie provinces and
Canada.
- Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada is supporting
the Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy to encourage greater
collaboration on investment opportunities, leverage additional
funding, and attract new investments across the Prairies that
better meet their needs.
- Federal funding is conditional on the signing of a contribution
agreement.
Associated Links
Rural Transit Solutions Fund
https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/rural-trans-rural/index-eng.html
Active Transportation Fund
https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/trans/index-eng.html
National Active Transportation Strategy
https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/trans/active-strat-actif-eng.html
Strengthened Climate Plan
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html
Housing and Infrastructure Project Map
https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html
Building a Green Prairie Economy Act
https://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/B-9.88/page-1.html
Building a Green Prairie Economy
https://www.canada.ca/en/prairies-economic-development/programs/green-prairie-economy.html
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SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities