Leamington, Ontario, April 4, 2008 - Dave Van Kesteren, Member of Parliament for Chatham-Kent-Essex, today announced the Government of Canada will consider the upgrading of the Leamington Pollution Control Centre in the Municipality of Leamington as a priority for up to $3,880,549 in federal infrastructure funding.
The federal contribution would be up to one-third of total eligible costs, which are estimated at $11,641,646.
"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 Van Kesteren. "Supporting the upgrades to the Leamington Pollution Control Centre is one of the ways we will deliver results in this priority area."
"Residents will benefit from this project to upgrade our wastewater system," said John Adams, Mayor of the Municipality of Leamington. "We thank the federal government for this support to help us renew our infrastructure. It is great to know that the federal government is listening to the concerns of the municipal government."
This project involves the installation of a new grit module and primary clarifiers to allow more wastewater to be treated at the plant. This work is part of a larger project of combined sewer separation and upgrades to the Leamington Pollution Control Centre.
Funding for this project comes from the $200 million announced in March 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, 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.
Jill Watt
Office of Dave Van Kesteren,
MP for Chatham-Kent-Essex
613-992-2612
Laryssa Waler
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
613-957-0200
