Cowansville, Quebec, December 8, 2009 - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, today joined Pierre Paradis, Member of the National Assembly for Brome-Missisquoi, acting on behalf of Laurent Lessard, Quebec Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, in announcing that the City of Cowansville will receive $2,423,362 in joint government financial assistance under the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund - Quebec (FCCQ) for waterworks improvements along Principale Street.
The project mainly involves installing a collector sewer on Principale Street to replace the existing interceptor and adding a storm sewer. These upgrades will serve some 216 people.
"This project to rebuild the infrastructure along Principale Street will benefit residents and businesses alike. We are proud to be able to offer Canadians the high level of quality of life that has become our country's trademark. Indeed, the Government of Canada is committed to equipping every community with modern facilities to ensure citizens' health and safety. The renewal of public infrastructure is part of a vast action plan that will enable our country to thrive and prosper in a healthy environment," explained Minister of State Lebel.
"In supporting this project, the Government of Quebec is moving forward to ensure the province's municipalities have infrastructure that suits their unique realities while fostering sustainable development. By injecting new capital into the Quebec Infrastructure Plan, our government is looking to accelerate the execution of numerous infrastructure projects throughout the province, like this one in Cowansville, in an effort to improve Quebecers' well-being, create jobs and promote a high-performance economy. In this way, we are leaving the municipality a legacy of quality infrastructure with which to face the challenges of the future," added Pierre Paradis.
Completion of this project will necessitate an overall eligible investment of $3,635,041. The governments of Quebec and Canada will each contribute $1,211,681 toward the work, for a total of $2,423,362 in combined government funding, while the City of Cowansville will itself invest $1,211,679 in the project.
The Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund - Quebec is a cost-sharing initiative aimed at funding the execution of infrastructure projects in communities with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants. These communities are thus able to use this assistance to improve infrastructure that is in major need of revitalization, including water treatment plants, water supply systems and cultural and sports centres.
The contribution announced today has been awarded through Canada's Economic Action Plan. For more details on this plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
An unprecedented funding commitment on the part of the Government of Canada, the Building Canada Fund - Quebec provides stable and predictable funding to support infrastructure projects. In Quebec, nearly $4 billion will be allocated to that end.
For further information on the Government of Quebec's Quebec Infrastructure Plan, see www.infrastructures.gouv.qc.ca.
To find out more about the Building Canada Fund - Quebec or the process for submitting a funding application, see www.buildingcanada-chantierscanada.gc.ca and www.mamrot.gouv.qc.ca/.
- 30 -
Sources:
Simon Bachand
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 613-996-6236
Sylvain Bourassa
Press Secretary
Office of the Quebec Minister of Municipal Affairs, Region and Land Occupancy
Tel.: 418-691-2050
