08-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Burlington says these infrastructure projects are ready to go should Trump trade war lead to stimulus funding
Burlington city staff identified nine local infrastructure projects that could be submitted for provincial or federal stimulus funding.
Last month,
city council directed staff to review the 10-year capital project plan
and provide a list of 'infrastructure projects that could be quickly advanced if stimulus programs are announced' for the May 12 committee of the whole meeting.
A staff report states the listed projects 'could be advanced from their current proposed year if external funding was to be provided … to proactively deliver infrastructure projects that could assist limiting the impacts of International Trade Policies,' including tariffs.
Staff recommend city councillors receive the report and list for information. The list includes a range of projects and timelines to provide options for future funding applications.
The identified projects are currently proposed for completion between 2026 and 2031 — but could be completed earlier if stimulus funds are announced.
Criteria for selecting projects included: preference to projects that don't require partnership with Halton Region or a neighbouring municipality; ability to obtain necessary permits from external agencies; work that can be completed within three or five years from the award of any stimulus funding; projects with Canadian content that don't rely on international components.
Staff note criteria for any external stimulus funding is not known yet, and there will be additional staff time required to prepare and submit funding applications for any of the nine projects. The report also states stimulus programs from upper governments normally require the municipality to fund a portion of approved projects.
Recently re-elected Burlington MP Karina Gould said she looks forward to supporting Burlington's infrastructure applications at the federal level.
'The Government of Canada will be introducing a Speech from the Throne on May 27 that will outline our priorities for this upcoming session of Parliament,' Gould said in a statement issued by her office. 'I will absolutely keep Burlingtonians updated when more details are available.'
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said during the 2025 provincial election campaign that his government would invest in an infrastructure stimulus package to face a trade war with the United States.
Burlington MPP Natalie Pierre's office, and Infrastructure Ontario, did not respond to requests for comment by deadline.
Burlington Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Terry Caddo had not reviewed the list of identified projects, but said: 'It is good governance to have projects ready to go if additional funding becomes available.'
City View Park improvement is one of several projects Burlington city staff say could be completed earlier than planned under anticipated federal and provincial stimulus funds.
