Better water and wastewater treatment for Thunder Bay residents

Twelve new projects approved in 11 communities across Ontario

THUNDER BAY, ON, April 27, 2018 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Ontario are committed to investing in local infrastructure that ensures Canadians and their families have access to modern, reliable water and wastewater services that meet their needs. These investments will result in cleaner and safer water for people to drink, protect provincial waterways and preserve local ecosystems.

Don Rusnak, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay–Rainy River, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; Bill Mauro, Member of Provincial Parliament for Thunder Bay–Atikokan, on behalf of the Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure; and His Worship Keith Hobbs, Mayor of Thunder Bay, today announced that a new project in Thunder Bay has been approved under the Government of Canada's Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF). The federal government is providing up to 50 per cent of funding for this project—$325,000. The provincial government is providing over $162,000, and Thunder Bay will provide the balance of funding.

Thanks to this investment, residents will soon benefit from a new concrete pipe on James Street between Riverview Drive and Arthur Street that will redirect storm water into the river. This will reduce the risk of flooding and help Thunder Bay become a safer and more resilient community. Such projects are essential to better protect homes and businesses, making Canadian communities among the best in the world to live.

In addition to this project, $649,760 in federal funding for 11 other water and wastewater projects will benefit 10 other communities across Ontario. The provincial government is providing $324,881 for these 11 projects.

This investment is part of an agreement between Canada and Ontario for the CWWF.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada recognizes that strategic investments in green infrastructure create safe, vibrant and sustainable communities. Projects like the one announced today in Thunder Bay are critical to helping protect residents and businesses against flooding. It's thanks to this type of investment that we will build the Canada of the 21st century and ensure a high quality of life for generations to come."

Don Rusnak, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay–Rainy River, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Building and maintaining high-quality water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure is an essential part of building livable communities. This announcement demonstrates the Province's commitment to partnering with municipalities in order to deliver the public infrastructure Ontarians need. I am pleased that these projects will contribute to enhanced quality of life in Thunder Bay."

Bill Mauro, Member of Provincial Parliament for Thunder Bay–Atikokan, on behalf of the Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure

"The City of Thunder Bay is pleased to receive this funding from the Federal and Provincial Governments. Thanks to this investment, our residents will benefit from infrastructure improvements that are essential to keeping our waterways clean and our community healthy. We appreciate the commitment to enhance local infrastructure that citizens rely and depend upon every day."

Keith Hobbs, Mayor of Thunder Bay

Quick facts

• For the 12 projects announced today, the federal government is providing $974,924. The provincial government is providing $487,462, and the recipients will cover any remaining costs.
• Under the Investing in Canada plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
• $26.9 billion of this funding will support green infrastructure projects, including $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
• Ontario is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, public transit, roads and bridges in the province's history – $230 billion over 14 years. To learn more about what's happening in your community, go to Ontario.ca/BuildON.

Related product

Backgrounder – Canada and Ontario announce funding for clean water and wastewater infrastructure projects across Ontario: https://www.canada.ca/en/office-infrastructure/news/2018/04/backgrounder-better-water-and-wastewater-treatment-for-thunder-bay-residents.html

Backgrounder

Canada and Ontario announce funding for clean water and wastewater infrastructure projects across Ontario
Twelve new projects approved in 11 communities

New water and wastewater projects have been approved under the Canada-Ontario Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF) agreement, which is designed to improve the safety and quality of water for Canadian families, while supporting a clean economy.

The Government of Canada is providing Ontario with over $569 million under CWWF (up to 50 per cent of the eligible project costs). The provincial government is providing up to $270 million (up to 25 per cent of total eligible project costs). The recipients will provide the balance of funding. In Phase 1, more than 1300 water and wastewater projects are improving the quality of life of residents in more than 470 communities. As part of the Government's long-term plan, more than $2.8 billion will be invested in green infrastructure projects throughout Ontario. 

The following 12 projects across Ontario have been approved for federal funding totaling $974,924.

Associated links

Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan (PDF Version):
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/site/alt-format/pdf/plan/icp-pic/IC-InvestingInCanadaPlan-ENG.pdf

Investing in Canada plan project map: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html

Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/on-eng.html

The Clean Water and Wastewater Fund: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/cwwf/cwwf-program-programme-eng.html.

Building better lives: Ontario's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan 2017: https://www.ontario.ca/document/building-better-lives-ontarios-long-term-infrastructure-plan-2017/

Twitter: @INFC_eng 
Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada