Delta, British Columbia, October 21, 2011 – Government officials and community members gathered today to celebrate the grand opening of the newMetroVancouverSustainabilityAcademy: Annacis Wastewater Centre.
The new academy, which will provide state-of-the art laboratory facilities for research, education and training in wastewater treatment, is the first of a network of sustainability academies envisioned by Metro Vancouver that will link research, innovation, education and community outreach in a number of critical service areas such as waste management, water supply, parks, air quality and food systems.
“Our Government is proud to support this new Centre, which will provide leading-edge research on managing and treating wastewater, promoting energy reduction, and greening the environment,” said the Delta-Richmond East MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “This project is an excellent example of howCanada’s Economic Action Plan is delivering real results to communities not only here in the Metro Vancouver area, but all across the country.”
“The protection of our water and ensuring our wastewater systems are sustainable are key priorities for our government,” said, Linda Reid, MLA for Richmond East on behalf of the Honourable Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. “The research that will be conducted at theMetroVancouverAcademy: Annacis Wastewater Centre will ensure generations of British Columbians will continue to enjoy this valuable resource.”
“As the first of a series of sustainability academies, the Annacis Wastewater Centre will help transform our entire approach to dealing with sewage,” said Metro Vancouver Chair Lois Jackson. “Sewage is a source of renewable energy and vital nutrients and the work that will take place in the academy will allow us to find novel and innovative ways to extract these important resources and stop treating sewage as simply waste.”
“The new Annacis Wastewater Centre is a very welcome addition to the local research and technology transfer world. The facility provides an opportunity, unique inCanada, to actually demonstrate promising wastewater treatment technologies and concepts, at larger scale, and on the grounds of a working wastewater treatment facility,” said Dr. Don Mavinic of UBC.
“It is a logical extension, from lab scale to small pilot plant capability already on campus, to demonstration scale at this new facility. Work at the facility will allow UBC to maintain its world-wide reputation as a leader in innovative wastewater research and practical technology transfer, in conjunction with its research partners and engineering staff.”
The governments ofCanadaandBritish Columbiaeach committed $3 million, or one-third of total eligible project costs of $9 million. MetroVancouverand theUniversityofBritish Columbiaprovided the remaining $3 million.
As part of theCanada’s Economic Action Plan, the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is funding approximately 4,100 infrastructure projects across the country. Since March 2009, the federal government has committed over $505 million to more than 440 projects acrossBritish Columbiaunder the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund alone.
Since October 2008, over $5.6 billion has been committed by the province to over 900 infrastructure projects inBritish Columbia, which are estimated to create more than 36,000 jobs over the life of the projects.
For further information on the Government of Canada's infrastructure investments in British Columbia, visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca
Media Contacts:
Pierre Floréa
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Jeff Rud
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250-953-3677
Bill Morrell
Media Relations and Issues Management Division Manager
MetroVancouver
604-451-6107
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
