Halifax, Nova Scotia, December 21, 2007 –
Residents of small Nova Scotia communities can look forward to cleaner water and
better waste management thanks to a $111-million investment by all three levels
of government.
Over the next seven years, the federal, provincial and municipal governments
together will invest $111 million, which will help meet the local infrastructure
needs and priorities of smaller Nova Scotia communities.
Municipalities may now submit their applications for the Communities
Component. Applications for funding are now available at www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/muns/infr/bcf.asp. The deadline for the first round of applications is January 30,
2008. Eligible categories for the first round of funding are water, wastewater
and solid waste infrastructure projects. Projects will be selected through a
competitive process.
The announcement was made today by the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of
National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
(ACOA), on behalf of Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and
Communities, and Jamie Muir, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal
Relations.
"I'm excited to be making this announcement today as this represents a
significant step forward in implementing our Building Canada plan in Nova Scotia
and, in fact, in Canada," said Minister MacKay. "The Communities Component of
Building Canada will provide funding for infrastructure projects in communities
with populations of less than 100,000 – helping these communities meet their
unique challenges and in turn making Nova Scotia's economy stronger and
contributing to a cleaner environment."
The total federal funding allocation for Nova Scotia under the Communities
Component is $37 million. This money comes from the $235.68 million the federal
government is providing the province through the Building Canada Fund. Under the
terms of the Canada/Nova Scotia Building Canada Framework Agreement, the
province will match the federal contribution for the Communities Component. The
Building Canada Fund is one element of the overall Building Canada plan. Over
seven years, Building Canada will focus on a variety of infrastructure
investments that, among other things, contribute to cleaner air, water and
land."Targeted rural funding will continue our efforts to build stronger
communities across Nova Scotia," said Minister Muir. "Through this
partnership, we are building for our children and families, now and in the
future."
"We are pleased to see that both the federal and provincial governments
recognize the need to continue to invest in infrastructure in our communities,"
said Robert Wrye, President of the Union of Nova Scotia
Municipalities.The Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund
will be administered by Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations and ACOA.
Through its unprecedented $33-billion Building Canada infrastructure plan,
the federal government will provide long-term, stable and predictable funding to
help meet infrastructure needs across Canada. Building Canada will support a
stronger, safer and better country. On November 9, 2007
the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia announced the signing
of a Framework Agreement under Building Canada worth $634.38 million.
For more information on the Building Canada plan, visit www.buildingcanada.gc.ca.
For media inquiries contact:
Karine WhitePress Secretary Office of the Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities(613) 991-0700
Deborah BayerCommunications AdvisorCanada-Nova Scotia Infrastructure
Secretariat(902) 424-0112
Dan DugasDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister of National
Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (613)
996-8553 Infrastructure Canada(613) 948-1148
