St. Catharines, Ontario, February 19, 2008 - Rick Dykstra, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced the Government of Canada will consider the replacement of watermains in St. Catharines as a priority for up to $1.723 million in federal infrastructure funding.
The federal contribution would be up to one-third of total eligible costs. The total estimated cost of this project is $5.17 million.
“Maintaining a healthy and sustainable environment is directly related to the health and prosperity of communities and their residents, and is a priority for the Government of Canada,” said MP Dykstra. “Supporting the replacement of watermains is one of the ways we will deliver results in this priority area.”
“The City of St. Catharines understands the importance of upgrading this aging infrastructure and we are pleased the Government of Canada has also recognized this need,” said Brian McMullan, Mayor of St. Catharines. “Today’s investment will improve the integrity and quality of our water delivery system while also updating it.”
The project involves replacing existing watermains to coincide with efforts to widen the Queen Elizabeth Way. Replacing this aging cast iron infrastructure with modern alternatives will improve the water quality and 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.
Contacts:
Karen Moncur
Executive Assistant
Rick Dykstra, M.P., St. Catharines
905-934-6767
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148
