Northern New Brunswick residents to benefit from infrastructure improvements
News release
Eel River Bar First Nation, New Brunswick, August 29, 2019— The Government of Canada recognizes that strategic investments in green and rural infrastructure play a key role in supporting dynamic communities while creating good jobs that help grow the middle class.
Today, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Indigenous Services, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; René Arseneault, Member of Parliament for Madawaska–Restigouche; the Honourable Jake Stewart, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, on behalf of the Honourable Andrea Anderson-Mason, Minister of Justice; and Sacha LaBillois, Chief of Eel River Bar First Nation, announced four projects in northern New Brunswick.
Eel River Bar First Nations lands and the Village of Charlo will be connected to water services from the Village of Eel River Crossing to provide residents with a reliable source of safe drinking water that will also support future population growth. The new sewer services will ensure cleaner water in the Eel River Estuary, protecting local ecosystems. Today’s event also marks the official ground breaking of this project.
Three other road and bridge improvement projects in Eel River Bar First Nations, Nash Creek and Robinsonville will ensure local travellers have access to safe and reliable roadways.
The Government of Canada is investing more than $5.4 million towards these four projects. The Government of New Brunswick is contributing more than $3.3 million for the four projects, and the Eel River Bar First Nation is contributing $563,660 for one project.
Quotes
“Everyone deserves safe, clean, drinking water and our government is making significant investments to ensure communities across Canada have modern water and wastewater infrastructure and can build a healthy, sustainable future. This project will greatly improve the quality of life for Charlo and Eel River Bar First Nation residents by to increasing access to public water services, while maintaining a clean environment where people can live, work and raise their families.”
The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Indigenous Services, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
“Investments to improve water and wastewater facilities in our communities will always remain a priority for our government. We understand that Madawaska-Restigouche families deserve to live in a safe environment adapted to modern life. This goes without saying to ensure the health of our citizens. This project will greatly benefit the communities of the Eel River Bar and Charlo First Nation.”
René Arseneault, Member of Parliament for Madawaska–Restigouche
“The provincial government takes its responsibility to protect water sources and the environment very seriously. The investment in potable and wastewater infrastructure will ensure the communities of Eel River Bar First Nation, Charlo and Eel River will continue to flourish for generations to come.”
The Honourable Jake Stewart, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs on behalf of the Honourable Andrea Anderson-Mason, Minister of Justice, Attorney General and minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation
“In the spirit of reconciliation, we’re pleased to be collaborating with our neighbors, the municipalities (of Charlo and ERC) on the water interconnection project. Bringing water to the Aboriginal Heritage Gardens is monumental for ERB as it will be the first step in a bigger project that will allow us to showcase the contributions that the Mi’gmaq people have made to society.”
Sacha LaBillois, Chief of Eel River Bar First Nation
Quick facts
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Indigenous Services Canada provided $250,000 for Eel River Bar First Nation and the Aboriginal Heritage Garden to be connected to the water and wastewater infrastructure in the nearby Village of Charlo.
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Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure 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.
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$26.9 billion of this funding is supporting green infrastructure projects, including $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
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$4 billion of this funding is supporting infrastructure projects in Indigenous communities.
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These investments complement the Atlantic Growth Strategy, a federal-provincial action plan aimed at stimulating economic growth in the region through five priority areas:
- Skilled workforce/Immigration;
- Innovation;
- Clean growth and climate change;
- Trade and investment;
- Infrastructure.
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Contacts
Ann-Clara Vaillancourt
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-697-3778
ann-clara.vaillancourt@canada.ca
Bruce Macfarlane
Communications
Regional Development Corporation
506-444-4583
bruce.macfarlane@gnb.ca
Tyler Morrison
Communications Officer
Eel River Bar First Nation
Phone: 506-684-2007 ext. 201
Cell: 418-215-0377
tyler.morrison@eelriverbar.ca
Media Relations
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: infc.media.infc@canada.ca
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