As Moose Jaw works through the infrastructure issues that we face, the province and the federal government have inked a new long-term agreement.

The bilateral agreement will provide more than $896 million in federal funding through the Investing in Canada plan over the next decade.

Projects will be cost-shared with the Saskatchewan government, municipalities and other partners according to a statement issued Wednesday morning. 

Funding will be focused on improving public transit, green infrastructure, recreational, cultural, and community infrastructure according to the statement released.

• faster commutes and travel times and easier movement of goods for businesses;

• cleaner air and water;

• reduced greenhouse gas emissions;

• smarter more efficient cities;

• sustainable water management;

• enhanced public parks, recreational facilities and other spaces that make communities great places to live; and

• better transportation and digital infrastructure for people living in remote communities.

“Infrastructure is the backbone of our communities and our economy,” Minister of Infrastructure and Communities François-Philippe Champagne, and Minister Responsible for SaskBuilds Gordon Wyant said in the release.  “Today’s announcement represents a decade-long commitment to investing in priority projects that address Saskatchewan’s unique infrastructure needs, protect and improve communities’ health and safety, support Saskatchewan’s competitiveness and create significant employment and business opportunities for Saskatchewan’s construction sector and workers.  Today’s agreement also supports Saskatchewan’s ability to ensure funding is directed where it is most needed, through the ability to pursue future flexibility within and between funding streams.”

It's not clear what projects Moose Jaw could apply for, but City administration has eluded to a need for new levels of funding from higher levels of government in order to address our funding shortfalls.