31 August 2009
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Residents of Fredericton will benefit from joint federal and provincial funding to upgrade the city’s main wastewater treatment plant. This project was announced today by the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) and Rick Miles, N.B. Minister of Environment. This project is just one example of the commitment of both governments to strengthening the New Brunswick economy and improving the quality of life for its residents.
This project will enhance local facilities and services and create local jobs, at a time when the need for economic stimulus is greatest.
The governments of Canada and New Brunswick are each investing over $1.6 million towards the total eligible cost of the City’s wastewater treatment plant upgrade project. The City of Fredericton is contributing the balance of the $5 million project.
“The Government of Canada recognizes that modern, reliable infrastructure can attract business and create jobs for today and for years to come”, said Minister Ashfield.
“As Minister of the Environment and MLA for Fredericton- Silverwood, I am pleased that the federal and provincial governments could support this project that will improve community infrastructure while ensuring the environment is preserved and protected,” said Minister Miles.
“We pride ourselves on being a green city and I want to thank our federal and provincial partners for their investment in this essential municipal infrastructure,” said Mayor Brad Woodside. “These funds will be used to upgrade the Barker Street wastewater treatment plant to ensure we continue to serve the needs of our growing population and protect our environment.”
The project involves major improvements to the existing treatment plant which serves 90% of the local population and is currently processing twice the amount of wastewater it was originally designed to handle. The upgrades will increase the plant’s capacity to meet current standards, protect the local water courses and prepare the city for future growth.
This project is one of 32 across the province that will get underway quickly, thanks to a joint federal-provincial investment of more than $48 million announced on July 24. The governments of Canada and New Brunswick have taken steps to advance projects and flow money faster for targeted infrastructure projects in New Brunswick communities in the 2009 and 2010 construction seasons.
The Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan is accelerating and expanding the existing federal investment of $33 billion in infrastructure with almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over two years. The Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick are working closely together to ensure that these infrastructure funds are being spent on priority projects across the province.
For more information, please visit: www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.
To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Residents of Fredericton will benefit from joint federal and provincial investments to improve local water and wastewater services. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) together with Rick Miles, Minister of Environment and Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside.
Federal and provincial governments will each invest over $1.6 million in Fredericton for significant upgrades to the community’s main wastewater facility. The City of Fredericton will contribute the balance of the $5 million project cost.
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INFORMATION:
Richard Roik
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
613-996-4649
Jennifer Graham
Communications Officer
New Brunswick Department of Environment
506-457-7206
Sharon Stanford-Rutter
Senior Communications Officer
ACOA NB
506-451-2677
