Saskatchewan’s Minister of Government Relations Don McMorris provided details on Tuesday of $13.6 million in joint funding that will help 30 projects in Saskatchewan during the 2021 Municipalities of Saskatchewan virtual convention.

The Canadian government is putting in more than $6.7 million through the Investing in Canada plan, while the province is contributing more than $6.9 million.

McMorris said it’s key to invest in reliable and sustainable infrastructure to assist communities with the impacts of COVID-19.

“It’s so important to keep the economy going as best as we possibly can, and how we can do that through municipalities, provincial and federal governments is through infrastructure funding,” explained the minister in a post-announcement virtual scrum with reporters.

“This will ensure that municipalities can keep up with their infrastructure and so we can support businesses within these communities.”

The projects will benefit bridges, waters and recreation infrastructure projects including:

• replacement of rural bridges to strengthen the ability to move goods and services on the local transportation network;
• upgrading of water and wastewater systems to position communities for the future;
• the decommissioning of landfills to help protect the environment; and
• improving recreation facilities for various sports and other activities.