OTTAWA (Ontario), September 7, 2006 - The Governments of Canada and Yukon
are partnering to support infrastructure development in the City of Dawson
and the Village of Carmacks, providing $18 million for upgrading the
wastewater treatment facilities and collection systems of both
communities. Each order of government will provide up to $9 million for
the projects.
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure
and Communities, made the announcement with the Honourable Glenn Hart,
Yukon Minister of Community Services.
"All levels of government need to work together to provide investments
in strategic, long-term infrastructure to ensure our communities remain
sustainable and prosperous," said Minister Cannon. "Today's announcement
reflects the new government's commitment to improving the quality of life
and economic development of our communities."
"I am very pleased that the new federal government has approved the
CSIF funding request for the Dawson City and Carmacks wastewater
projects," said Minister Hart. "We have worked closely with the
communities and with the Government of Canada to advance these two
important projects to this stage, now we have the funding confirmation so
we are now able to move to the next steps of making these projects
realities."
Government of Canada investments of up to $6.6 million for the City of
Dawson project component will improve the effluent quality and will meet
regulatory requirements for the sewage treatment plant.
Federal investments of up to $2.3 million for the Village of Carmacks
project component will go toward replacing the existing wastewater
treatment plant with a new secondary wastewater treatment and disposal
facility.
The federal and territorial governments are working together to develop
a contribution agreement that will detail the project elements and federal
funding parameters. Financial support is conditional on meeting applicable
federal and territorial requirements, including the successful completion
of environmental assessments required under the Canadian Environmental
Assessment Act.
The federal contribution comes from the Canada Strategic Infrastructure
Fund, which supports large-scale projects of major national and regional
significance. The goal of this fund is to strengthen areas that are vital
to sustaining economic growth and enhancing quality of life for
Canadians.
The Government of Canada's 2006 Budget committed an unprecedented $16.5
billion over the next four years for provincial, territorial and municipal
infrastructure, including an additional $2 billion for the Canada
Strategic Infrastructure Fund and $2.4 billion for the new Highways and
Border Infrastructure Fund. For more information on Infrastructure Canada
and its programs, please visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca.
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Contacts:
Natalie Sarafian Press Secretary Office of the Minister
of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
Peter CarrCabinet Communications AdvisorYukon
Government
Tel: (613) 991-0700
Tel: (867) 667-8688
Infrastructure CanadaCommunications and Promotion
Doug CaldwellCommunications AdvisorCommunity
ServicesYukon Government
Tel: (613) 948-1148
Tel: (867) 667-8065
