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Photo courtesy Everything GP Staff
By Erika Rolling
Federal Funding

$190k awarded for trail improvements in Grande Prairie

Feb 2, 2024 | 12:53 PM

Grande Prairie will be getting some improvements to our trail network thanks to funding from the federal government.

$189,925 is being invested into our city for trail resurfacing through the Public Transit Infrastructure (PTIS) and the COVID-19 Resilience (CVRIS) Streams of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

The project is also getting money from the municipal government, contributing $47,481 for a total of $237,406.

Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, and Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, Randy Boissonnault announced the funding Friday morning.

Boissonnault says this is about getting people on the move.

“I fully expect this province to be 7 or 8 million people in my lifetime, and that means we need cities like Grande Prairie to be able to flex and grow and having transportation options for people gives them choice for how they get around the city, is really important.”

Boissonnault also noted since the Liberals came into power in 2015, they have invested around $33 million into infrastructure projects in Grande Prairie.

“Everything from highways upgrades, to the Emergency Response and Activity Centre. We did some outdoor flood mitigation for the outdoor recreation facilities like the ball diamonds, playgrounds, skateboard parks… and there’s also some work that we’ve done through infrastructure to help reduce the greenhouse gas emissions; so solar panels on city buildings and even some software for the city to speed up how they do their purchases.”

He says these investments reflect on the federal government’s commitment to be partners with growing communities like Grande Prairie.

“Grande Prairie is a draw for people to come and experience what we have in that region of the province… and just making it that kind of livable, accessable city you get get around in, not just on the highways and by-passes, but on trails… really makes sense.”

The Minister noted the federal government’s tourism program and Travel Alberta wants to see the Grande Prairie region flourish and “do well.”

Mayor Jackie Clayton was also on-site for the announcement made in Strathcona County Friday morning. She released a statement as half of the funding announcement was for our city:

“Thanks to Minister Randy Boissonnault’s contributions, along with the collaborative effort of other municipalities, Council welcomes funding that will help repair and develop our City’s trail system. Enhancing trails is a crucial means of improving our residents’ quality of life. These upgrades will allow our residents to remain active while also contributing to a stronger sense of community.”

The federal government says they have now invested in 14 infrastructure projects in Alberta under PTIS, with a federal contribution of $1.9 billion and a provincial contribution of over $2 billion. Also, 118 infrastructure projects in Alberta have benefitted from CVRIS, with over $8.9 million in provincial contributions and $205 in federal contributions.

by Erika Rolling