Sopuck announces nearly $40 million in funding for Riding Mountain National Park
December 19, 2021
Harper Government Announces Significant New Investments in Riding Mountain National Park
December 19, 2021
Dauphin, Manitoba
Today Robert Sopuck, Member of Parliament for Dauphin–Swan River–Marquette, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced substantial investments in Riding Mountain National Park designed to renew infrastructure and support Canada’s National Conservation Plan (NCP).
“Riding Mountain National Park is where we meet our friends and families to discover the wealth and beauty of this Manitoba region,” Sopuck said. “That’s why I’m pleased to announce some important investments - totaling more than $39 million - that our Conservative Government is making in Riding Mountain National Park.”
The federal Government will invest almost $40 million to support the following infrastructure improvements in Riding Mountain National Park:
• $36.4 million over 5 years for the resurfacing of Highway 10. Resurfacing of Highway 10 through the park will improve safety for visitors, enhance tourism for local and regional communities and businesses, and promote wildlife viewing and sightseeing along one of Manitoba’s most scenic highways.
• $2.7 million for the Wasagaming Campground to expand the oTENTik rental facilities, add water and electrical utility services to approximately 200 sites, and improve washroom buildings and picnic shelters for an improved visitor experience.
“Our Government is proud to be making record investments in Parks Canada sites across the country,” said Sopuck. “Investments like these in Riding Mountain National Park are encouraging job creation and economic growth, while taking tangible actions to help Canadians connect with this incredible national park.”
The NCP, launched by Prime Minister Stephen Harper on May 15, 2014, provides a shared and coherent vision to advance conservation efforts across the country. The investments being announced today directly contribute to the NCP by taking concrete action to connect Canadians safely with nature.
Quick Facts
• Highway 10 was built in the 1930s and was seen as a major improvement for both visitors and the business community, as the driving distance between Dauphin and Brandon was shortened by 75 km.
• The Government historically has invested significant funds each year in the maintenance and recapitalization of infrastructure in national parks and national historic sites as part of Parks Canada’s operating budget.
• Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2014 committed $391.5 million over five years for improvements to highways, bridges and dams in our national parks and along heritage canals.
• On November 24, the Prime Minister announced an additional $2.8 billion to support infrastructure improvements to heritage, tourism, waterway and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas across Canada. This was part of a new $5.8 billion federal infrastructure program.
• Parks Canada investments support the Government’s National Conservation Plan while also creating jobs, promoting tourism and supporting communities across Canada.
Associated Links
National Conservation Plan
Backgrounder on Riding Mountain National Park
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