Halifax, Nova Scotia, June 25, 2011 – The Halifax Regional Municipality is celebrating today the official opening of two new fire stations to better serve the communities of Tantallon and Hubley, Herring Cove, and the surrounding areas. The new Tantallon and Herring Cove fire stations, constructed thanks to investments made by the governments of Canada, Nova Scotia and the Halifax Regional Municipality, will improve emergency response services and increase the overall effectiveness of fire crews in the Halifax Regional Municipality.
Both new buildings are four-bay composite stations with an engine tanker rescue unit and a mix of full-time and volunteer firefighters. The new station in Tantallon will allow the amalgamation of two fire stations.
“Families need to be confident their local firehouse will be able to provide the quickest possible response when there is an emergency,” said the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “Our government is proud to invest in these projects which created jobs and will improve emergency services in Tantallon, Hubley and Herring Cove for years to come.”
“These fire stations are about far more than bricks and mortar. It’s about community spirit, and what can be achieved by working together,” said the Honourable Denise Peterson-Rafuse, provincial Minister of Community Services. “These fire stations will help make our communities safe and great places to live, work and raise families.”
His Worship Peter J. Kelly, Mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality paid tribute to the cooperation of all three levels of government to make the new facilities a reality.
“This is an excellent example of making the maximum use of government’s energy and resources to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities,” said Mayor Kelly. “Both fire stations are designed to be energy efficient as well as economical to operate and confirm Regional Council’s commitment to providing cost-effective, high quality fire services to its residents.”
The Government of Canada committed $1 million to each project under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. The Province of Nova Scotia and the Halifax Regional Municipality each matched the federal contribution. The total eligible cost for each project is $3 million.
As part of the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is providing funding to over 4,100 infrastructure projects across the country.
Since March 2009, the Government of Canada has committed over $97.3 million in funding under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to 122 projects across Nova Scotia.
For more information, contact:
Vanessa Schneider
Director of Communications
Office of Canada’s Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Deborah Bayer
Communications Advisor
Canada-Nova Scotia Infrastructure Secretariat
902-424-0112
Mayor Peter Kelly
902-490-4010
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148 or Toll free 1-877-250-7154
