Community projects in Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Halton Hills get $1.1 million in support

A number of community-led infrastructure projects in Oakville, Burlington, Milton and Halton region are getting a financial boost from a consortium of eight community foundations.

The Golden Horseshoe Hub (GHH) will provide over $1.1 million to help local with the transformation of public spaces in response to COVID-19. as part of the second round of the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative.

The GHH led by the Oakville Community Foundation consists of the Burlington Foundation, Community Foundation of Halton North, Brampton and Caledon Community Foundation, Brant County Community Foundation, Hamilton Community Foundation, Community Foundation of Mississauga and the Niagara Community Foundation.

Together the consortium will work to distribute $1,104,114 to  support 26 projects in Halton and the various other regions as part of the second round of the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative.

“Public spaces are the glue to our communities: they enable a feeling of belonging and of social cohesion,” said Wendy Rinella, CEO of the Oakville Community Foundation. “They are a big part of what makes communities safe, vibrant and connected.

“As our region faces increased isolation due to COVID-19, these projects from the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative will help our community to connect safely and will benefit the mental and physical well-being of our residents.”

The GHH is supporting the following local projects as part of The Initiative.

• The BurlingtonGreen Environmental Association will receive $14,209 for its Clean Up Green Up-Expanding Vulnerable Community Connections project.
• The Burlington Library will receive $19,650 for its Connection for All-Post Covid Technology Access project.
• The Milton Public Library will receive $50,000 for its Be Inspired. Indigenous-Centred Knowledge project.
• The Rotary Club of Oakville Trafalgar will receive $50,0000 for its Adult and Senior Fitness Equipment to Memorial Park project.
• The Canadian Mental Health Association of Halton Region Branch will receive $48,559 for its Coping Skills for Change Virtual Groups project.
• The Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services of Halton (SAVIS) will receive $10,000 for its Crisis Line Support project.

The Government of Canada initiative was designed to fund eligible projects between $5,000 and $250,000 that fall under three main themes: creating safe and vibrant public spaces, improving mobility options, and digital solutions.

“Inclusive, accessible public spaces are the heart of any community, and vital to healthy, vibrant, safe and successful communities that are better equipped to restore growth, create jobs, build a greener, more competitive and resilient economy and repair the damage done by the pandemic,” said Pam Damoff, Member of Parliament for Oakville North-Burlington.

“Together, the federal government and its provincial and municipal partners are working hard to ensure strategic investments in community infrastructure upgrades create inclusive communal spaces for everyone to enjoy.”

To learn more about the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative, visit https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/chci-iccs/index-eng.htm