Bathurst, New Brunswick - Residents of three Northeast communities are benefiting from joint federal and provincial funding to upgrade water and wastewater systems. These projects were announced today by The Honourable Percy Mockler, Senator for Saint-Léonard and the Honourable Brian Kenny, Minister of State for Seniors and Minister responsible for Community Non-profit Organizations.
These projects will help strengthen the New Brunswick economy and improve the quality of life for its residents by enhancing local facilities and services and creating local jobs, at a time when the need for economic stimulus is greatest.
The governments of Canada and New Brunswick will each invest over $1.9 million in the three projects. Municipalities will contribute the balance of the total eligible project costs of more than $1.9 million.
Federal, provincial and respective municipal governments will each invest one third of the total eligible costs of the three projects. These costs include: Bathurst ($3,993,702), Tracadie-Sheila ($274,592), and Lamèque ($1,442,520).
“Our federal investment of over $1.9 million will help safeguard the quality of life of residents in the Northeast, and ensure that our natural resources continue to support future development,” said Senator Mockler, “The Government of Canada recognizes that modern, reliable infrastructure can attract business and create jobs for today and years to come.”
“These upgrades will go a long way in ensuring that public health and the environment in New Brunswick are protected and preserved,” said Kenny. “These infrastructure projects will help put people to work in the short-term and will also contribute to the sustainability of our community infrastructure in the long-term.”
The projects are three of 32 across the province that are getting underway quickly, thanks to a joint federal- provincial investment of more than $48 million announced on July 24, 2009. The governments of Canada and New Brunswick are taking steps to advance projects and flow money faster to 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.
- 30 -
Bathurst
This project involves the installation of a new low lift pump, replacement of a clarifier and the construction of a new set of filters. The water treatment plant expansion will result in improved plant efficiency and reliability, and provide access to a higher level of water quality for a number of households.
Tracadie-Sheila
This project aims to upgrade the town’s wastewater lift station. The improvements will include greater wastewater system reliability, reduced discharge of untreated effluent and an increased number of households and businesses that will be connected to the sanitary sewer system.
Lamèque
This project will focus on much-needed improvements to the town’s water system infrastructure. The benefits for the community include improved drinking water quality and increased water system reliability.
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
