Hudson, Ontario, December 3, 2010 – The Townships of Hudson and Harley held a ribbon-cutting ceremony today to celebrate the completion of five local infrastructure projects, including the renovation of the Hudson Outreach Library and Community Hall, and the renewal of four local roads.
"Quality roads are essential for the safety of Canadians and community centres are at the heart of many communities," said Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora, on behalf of the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "The Government of Canada is proud to contribute to these five significant infrastructure projects in the Townships of Hudson and Harley."
"When we invest in local infrastructure projects through our Open Ontario Plan, we build stronger, more successful rural communities," said David Ramsay, Member of Provincial Parliament for Timiskaming-Cochrane. "Our support for infrastructure projects has laid the groundwork for a brighter future here in the townships of Hudson and Harley."
"When we have three levels of government putting their resources together, major infrastructure projects are possible," said Larry Craig, Reeve of the Township of Hudson. "The residents of our communities will benefit from the improvements to our infrastructure for many years to come."
The combined eligible cost of these projects is nearly $1.5 million. Through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, the governments of Canada and Ontario have each committed $492,920 in both the Township of Hudson and the Township of Harley. The townships of Hudson and Harley contributed the balance of the project costs in their respective municipalities using $276,920 of their municipal funds and also applying $215,000 of their federal Gas Tax Fund allocations toward four of the projects.
The federal Gas Tax Fund provides municipalities with a stable and predictable source of funding for environmentally sustainable municipal infrastructure. Funding is also available for planning projects that contribute to the sustainability of communities and regions.
As part of the Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is providing funding to nearly 4,000 infrastructure projects across the country.
The contribution from the Province of Ontario comes from its 2009 provincial budget that is supporting more than 300,000 jobs and strengthening Ontario's economy.
Since 2007, the governments of Canada and Ontario have committed over $13 billion in funding to more than 6,400 infrastructure projects across the province.
On December 2, 2010, the Government of Canada announced it is extending the construction deadline for a number of Economic Action Plan infrastructure projects. Proponents of projects under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, the Building Canada Fund Communities Component Top-Up, the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program and the Knowledge Infrastructure Program will now have until October 31, 2011 to complete their projects.
For information about investments in infrastructure, visit
www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.
To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit
www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For more information on how Ontario is revitalizing its infrastructure, visit ontario.ca/infrastructure.
For additional information:
Office of MP Rickford
807-468-2170
Office of MPP Ramsay
705-567-4650
Townships of Casey, Harley, Hudson, Kerns
705-647-5439
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148 or toll free 1-877-250-7154
Belle Vallee Road Gravel Resurfacing This project involved the gravel resurfacing of a 3.2 kilometre stretch of Belle Vallee Road east of Highway 569. The resurfaced road ensures safer, more effective commutes for residents and visitors.
The total eligible project cost is $258,000. This project is benefitting from $86,000 in ISF funding each from the governments of Canada and Ontario. The Township of Harley contributed $43,000 and also applied $43,000 of its federal Gas Tax Fund allocation as part of its municipal share. Municipalities are allowed to use federal Gas Tax funding to complement its municipal contribution toward the project. Government of Canada contributions from all sources cannot be more than 50 per cent.
Development Road East Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation work involved repaving a heavily used 2.4 kilometre stretch of Development Road east of Highway 569. Complete with ditch improvements, this project has greatly enhanced the safety and effectiveness of this important route, which serves as an entry point to and from the province of Quebec.
The total eligible project cost is $420,000. This project is benefitting from $140,000 in ISF funding each from the governments of Canada and Ontario. The Township of Harley contributed $70,000 and also applied $70,000 of its federal Gas Tax Fund allocation as part of its municipal share. Municipalities are allowed to use federal Gas Tax funding to complement its municipal contribution toward the project. Government of Canada contributions from all sources cannot be more than 50 per cent.
Road B – Rehabilitation
Road B rehabilitation work included ditch, road base, and road surface improvements. The 1.8 kilometre stretch of reconstructed road is now safer and more effective for residents and visitors alike.
The total eligible project cost is $180,000. This project is benefitting from $60,000 in ISF funding each from the governments of Canada and Ontario. The Township of Hudson contributed $30,000 and also applied $30,000 of its federal Gas Tax Fund allocation as part of its municipal share. Municipalities are allowed to use federal Gas Tax funding to complement its municipal contribution toward the project. Government of Canada contributions from all sources cannot be more than 50 per cent.
Sawmill Road Rehabilitation
Road base, road surface, and ditch improvements have ensured a safer, more efficient commute on the 3.1 kilometres of Sawmill Road.
The total eligible project cost is $435,000. This project is benefitting from $145,000 in ISF funding each from the governments of Canada and Ontario. The Township of Hudson contributed $72,500 and also applied $72,500 of its federal Gas Tax Fund allocation as part of its municipal share. Municipalities are allowed to use federal Gas Tax funding to complement its municipal contribution toward the project. Government of Canada contributions from all sources cannot be more than 50 per cent.
Community Hall Renewal
Renovations to the Hudson Outreach Library and Community Hall involved removing non-load bearing walls within the structure to increase the hall's size from 650 square feet to 1230 square feet, providing much-needed space for larger community events.
Featuring new, energy efficient building materials and amenities, the facility now complies with all building and fire codes and is less expensive to operate. Accessibility improvements also ensure that all area residents can enjoy community events and activities.
The governments of Canada and Ontario have each committed $61,920 to the project through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund program. The Township of Hudson contributed the balance of the total eligible project cost of $185,760.
