A Canada-Quebec investment of $50.4 million to improve quality of life
Thetford Mines, August 10, 2011 – The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry and Minister of State (Agriculture), and Laurent Lessard, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, Minister responsible for the Chaudière-Appalaches region and MNA for Frontenac, along with Luc Berthold, Mayor of the Town of Thetford Mines, today attended a ceremony marking the start of construction of the Town of Thetford Mines drinking water treatment plant. The representatives also took the opportunity to highlight the substantial financial support the governments of Canada and Quebec granted the Town in 2009 to upgrade its drinking water systems.
“Through this contribution, the Government of Canada is fulfilling its commitment to renew and revitalize infrastructure in Quebec,” Minister Paradis said. “By supporting this project, our government is contributing to the health of residents in the region by improving the quality of their water systems. Our investment in the construction of the drinking water treatment plant will stimulate the local economy through job creation and will contribute to the quality of life of the population of Thetford Mines now and in the future.”
“It gives me great satisfaction to participate today in the official launch of construction of the Town of Thetford Mines drinking water treatment plant. Ultimately, the project will result in higher drinking water quality, improve community infrastructure and make the municipality more attractive. By taking measures to leave infrastructure in good condition for future generations, the Government of Quebec is unequivocally committing to intergenerational equity and sustainable development. This additional major project is part of the Plan québécois des infrastructures for the upgrade, renewal and maintenance of public infrastructure in Quebec,” Minister Lessard added.
“I am very pleased that the completion of this work will improve drinking water systems in Thetford Mines,” Mayor Luc Berthold said. He also thanked the two levels of government for their tangible support for this forward-looking project for Thetford Mines.
The construction of the treatment plant with a water intake in Grand Lac Saint-François, which is being launched today, should be completed by late 2012. In addition to the plant construction, connections will be made to the water supply systems of the Thetford Mines-Centre, Pontbriand and Robertsonville sectors and drinking water reservoirs will be added to fully upgrade the drinking water systems in these areas and meet the requirements of the Regulation respecting the quality of drinking water. For the Black Lake sector, work is scheduled to protect the groundwater supply wells and refurbish the pumping station and two drinking water reservoirs. This will help improve public health and the quality of life of the population.
Some work has been done in advance of the plant construction or is underway, including the installation of the aqueduct between the raw water pumping station and the treatment plant, and the installation of the water intake and the construction of the raw water pumping station.
The total eligible cost for this major water infrastructure in Thetford Mines is an estimated $57.3 million. The Government of Canada’s maximum contribution is $25.2 million. The Quebec government is granting financial assistance equivalent to $25.2 million. The Town of Thetford is adding a little over $7 million.
This funding is part of the commitment by the governments of Canada and Quebec to help create jobs and to stimulate the economy to build thriving communities and a more prosperous Canada.
The federal government's contribution comes under the Major Infrastructure Component of the Building Canada Fund, which funds public infrastructure with a national or regional impact. The Government of Quebec’s contribution comes from the Plan québécois des infrastructures, under which $42 billion will be invested over the next five years across Quebec to upgrade, renew and maintain Quebec’s public infrastructure.
Additional information
For more information on investment in infrastructure, visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.
For more details about the Plan québécois des infrastructures, visit www.infrastructures.gouv.qc.ca/plan-infrastructure/index.asp.
For more information on the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
Contacts:
Benoît Fortin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Julie Boivin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, Minister responsible for the Chaudière-Appalaches region
418-691-2050
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148
1-877-250-7154 (toll free)
