Better water infrastructure for Thunder Bay residents
News Release
221 new projects approved in 86 communities
Thunder Bay, Ontario, May 24, 2017—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 safeguard the health and well-being of residents, protect waterways and preserve local ecosystems, while also laying the foundation for new economic opportunities to strengthen the middle class across the province.
The Honourable Patty Hadju, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Superior North, 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 34 new projects in Thunder Bay have been approved under the Government of Canada’s Clean Water and Wastewater Fund. The federal government is providing up to 50 per cent of funding for these projects—over $5.5 million. The provincial government is providing up to 25 per cent of funding for these projects—just over $2.7 million of total eligible costs, and the City of Thunder Bay will provide the balance of funding.
Thanks to this investment, residents of Thunder Bay will benefit from city-wide stormwater infrastructure inventory assessment, as well as design and construction of 16 storm water management facilities. The region will also benefit from the construction of new stormsewers and outfalls to improve stormwater passage and capacity. These projects are essential to keeping our waterways clean and our communities healthy and livable.
In addition to these projects, over $13.6 million in federal funding for 187 water and wastewater projects will benefit 85 other communities across Ontario.
This investment is part of an agreement between Canada and Ontario for the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund.
Quotes
“Investing in water and wastewater treatment infrastructure is essential to maintaining a healthy environment and providing access to clean, reliable drinking water. The Government of Canada is working with provinces, territories and municipalities across the country to support important projects like those in Thunder Bay, which ensure that Canadian communities are healthy and sustainable now and for years to come.”
The Honourable Patty Hadju, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Superior North, On behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
“These investments will mean real change for community members living in Thunder Bay and the region. Water and wastewater infrastructure are essential to the health and well-being of families across Northwestern Ontario and I am proud that our government recognizes the importance of reliable access to clean drinking water.”
Don Rusnak, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Rainy River
“The government of Ontario is proud to be investing almost $270 million in water and wastewater infrastructure for municipalities, First Nations and Local Services Boards across the province. We continue to invest in the kinds of infrastructure projects that keep our communities safe, provide reliable access to clean water, and protect our waterways.”
Bill Mauro, Member of Provincial Parliament for Thunder Bay-Atikokan
“The City of Thunder Bay is pleased to receive the $8.3 million in 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
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The Government of Canada will provide more than $180 billion in infrastructure funding over 12 years for public transit, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, transportation that supports trade, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
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Budget 2017 proposes $21.9 billion for investments for green infrastructure. This amount includes $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
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The Government of Ontario is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, public transit, roads and bridges, and water and wastewater infrastructure in the province’s history – more than $190 billion in public infrastructure over 13 years, starting in 2014–15. To learn more about what’s happening in your community, go to Ontario.ca/BuildON.
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Contacts
Brook Simpson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-219-0149
Brook.Simpson@canada.ca
Craig MacBride
Media Contact
Government of Ontario
416-212-0453
craig.macbride@ontario.ca
Stacey Levanen
Supervisor - Corporate Communications
City of Thunder Bay
807-625-3650
slevanen@thunderbay.ca
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: media@infc.gc.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada