Gatineau, Quebec, September 12, 2011 – Work to restore and replace water mains, sewers and storm sewers is now complete onPrincipale Street in theAylmer sector of the City ofGatineau. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and Charlotte L’Écuyer, Vice-chair of the Committee on Transportation and the Environment and Member of the National Assembly for Pontiac, on behalf of Laurent Lessard, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy.
“Through its contribution to Program for the renewal of drinking water and wastewater pipes (PRECO), our government is acting to improve economic opportunities for families in all regions of the province by stimulating the regional economy,” declared Minister Lebel. “Today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to insure that Quebecers living in the regions have the same services as their fellow citizens in the big cities.”
“Through PRECO, theAylmersector of the City ofGatineauwill be able to consolidate their drinking water supply, thus providing their residents with a better quality of life. These major investments will also support job creation in the region, ensuring the sustainable development of a prosperousQuebec,” added Member of the National Assembly L’Écuyer.
This project is benefitting from a joint financial contribution of up to $739,970 under a federal-provincial agreement made in relation to the PRECO. Together with the City of Gatineau’s contribution, these investments, estimated at more than $1.1 million, will fund important infrastructure work.
A simple and innovative program, PRECO enablesQuebecmunicipalities to restore or replace their water mains, sewers and storm sewers. Investment priorities were set by the municipalities in accordance with action plans submitted to the Quebec Department of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy. The municipalities could choose between repair and replacement, thus enjoying broader autonomy. There are over 80,000 kilometres of municipal underground water and sewer mains inQuebec, estimated to be worth over $60 billion.
The Canadaand Quebecgovernments have allocated a total of $700 million for projects funded under this program. On December 2, 2010, the Government of Canada announced a deadline extension for the construction of infrastructure projects approved and carried out under Canada’s Economic Action Plan (EAP). Proponents of projects completed under the terms of, among other EAP programs, the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund (ISF), including the Program for the renewal of drinking water and wastewater pipes (PRECO), will have until October 31, 2011, to finish projects eligible for the extension. It should, however, be noted that proponents requesting an extension must comply with the related terms and conditions.
As part of the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is providing funding for more than 4,000 infrastructure projects across the country. The Government of Canada has earmarked up to $350 million of this fund for approved PRECO projects.
The Quebecgovernment’s $350 million contribution comes from its Plan québécois des infrastructures, in whichQuebec is investing more than $42.6 billion between 2009 and 2014, with $3.7 billion reserved for municipal infrastructure.
Additional information:
For more information on infrastructure investments, visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca and www.infrastructures.gouv.qc.ca.
For more information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For more information on the Plan québécois des infrastructures, visit www.tresor.gouv.qc.ca/en/publications/expenditure-budget.
Contacts:
PierreFloréa
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613‑991-0700
Julie Boivin
Press Secretary
Office of Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy
418-691-2050
Nadia Nault
Press Secretary
Office of the Member of the National Assembly forPontiac
819-684-4400
Caroline St-Pierre
Communications Directorate
Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy
418-691-2015
Infrastructure Canada
613‑948-1148
1-877-250-7154 (toll-free)
