The governments of Canada and Quebec are safeguarding public health and helping protect the province's waterways by investing in projects to ensure that water and wastewater systems in the province are up to date and efficient, and meet communities' increasing capacity needs. These investments will also help create jobs and grow the economy.

“We are committed to investing in local infrastructure that provides communities with modern, reliable water and wastewater services. I am delighted to showcase the end of this work, which will help protect the environment and health and well-being of Asbestos residents. We will continue working closely with our partners to make smart investments in infrastructure that improves the quality of life of all Quebeckers while encouraging the growth of the middle class.”

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“Thanks to this major investment from the Government of Quebec, Asbestos was able to carry out work to meet its water infrastructure needs and improve its citizens’ quality of life. Together, we will help provide our fellow citizens with pleasant and healthy places to live.”

Karine Vallières, Member of the National Assembly for Richmond, and Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier (youth), on behalf of Martin Coiteux, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, Minister of Public Security, and Minister Responsible for the Montréal Region

“I am very happy about the government investments in these projects, which have allowed our city to renew its infrastructure and provide essential services to the community and its development.”

Hugues Grimard, Mayor of Asbestos

• Thanks to its base financial assistance rate of 83%, the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF) is allowing municipalities to invest almost $800 million in infrastructure projects. From 2016 to 2018, the federal government will provide $363.8 million and the provincial government will provide $300 million for a total joint investment of $664 million. The CWWF program is the result of a bilateral agreement signed by Canada and Quebec in July 2016.

• The goal of the PRIMEAU program is to help Quebec municipalities build, renovate or expand drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.

• The Government of Canada will invest 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. $21.9 billion of this funding will support green infrastructure projects, including $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

• Quebec’s 2017–2027 Infrastructure Plan calls for $7 billion in investments in municipal infrastructure under the Quebec Department of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy. When combined with contributions from the Government of Canada and municipalities, this means $15 billion will be invested in municipal infrastructure in Quebec over the next 10 years.

Related Products

• Backgrounder: Completion of water-related infrastructure in Asbestos

Associated Links

• Government of Canada’s $180-billion+ infrastructure plan
• Smart Cities Challenge
• See how investments in the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF) are being used in Quebec and across Canada
• The CWWF financial assistance program
• Quebec Municipal Water Infrastructure Program
• Quebec’s 2017–2027 Infrastructure Plan

Brook Simpson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
Tel.: 613-219-0149

Marie-Ève Pelletier
Director of Communications and
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy,
Minister of Public Security and Minister Responsible for the Montréal Region
Tel.: 418-691-2050

For information:

Infrastructure Canada
Tel.: 613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: infc.media.infc@canada.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Website: Infrastructure Canada

Media relations Team
Communications Branch
Quebec Department of Municipal Affairs and
Land Occupancy and the Department of Public Safety
Tel.: 418-691-2015, ext. 3746