Clarence-Rockland, Ontario, February 29, 2008 - Pierre Lemieux, Member of Parliament for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced the Government of Canada will consider the rehabilitation and replacement of watermains in the City of Clarence-Rockland, Ontario as a priority for up to $606,826 in federal infrastructure funding.
The federal contribution would be up to one-third of total eligible costs. The total estimated cost of the project is $1.82 million.
"Maintaining a healthy and clean environment is directly related to the health and prosperity of communities and their residents, and is a priority for our Government," said MP Lemieux. "Supporting the watermain rehabilitation and replacement project is one of the ways we will deliver results in this priority area."
"The City of Clarence-Rockland is proud to receive this funding, so important for the health of our residents," said Richard Lalonde, Mayor of Clarence-Rockland. "The quality of the drinking water is a constant priority for the municipality and this funding will enable us to carry on our work."
The project involves the replacement of aging and failure-prone watermains with new pipes that will conform to current design standards and safely handle increased flows in the case of fire. Replacing this infrastructure will also improve water quality and the capabilities of the water supply system.
Funding for this project comes from the $200 million announced in February 2007, to top up the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) nation-wide. The Government of Canada is directing $64 million in funding to existing clean water applications under MRIF in Ontario.
Federal financial support for the project is conditional on the initiative meeting all applicable eligibility requirements and other program criteria to be approved by Treasury Board, a federal review of the project, the successful completion of an environmental assessment, assurance by the municipality that the remaining project costs have been fully financed and accounted for, and the signing of a contribution agreement for the project detailing the project elements and any other federal requirements.
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