The Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay will soon benefit from a new sewage treatment facility. Joint funding of the project was announced today by the Honourable Peter Penashue, Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada; the Honourable Nick McGrath provincial Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs, on behalf of the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs; and Happy Valley-Goose Bay Mayor, Leo Abbass.
The $22.4 million project is funded by the federal, provincial and municipal governments. The Government of Canada is providing up to $7.25 million in support through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF) and the Gas Tax Fund, while the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is contributing $7.7 million through its investment in CSIF. The Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay is also investing $7.49 million towards the project.
“I am pleased that our government, through its infrastructure programs, is providing cost-shared funding to support this very important project for the people of Happy Valley-Goose Bay,” said Minister Penashue. “The Government of Canada is proud to invest in projects that improve municipal infrastructure and the health and well- being of local residents, and make everyday life better for all Canadians.”
The federal Gas Tax Fund provides stable, predictable funding to municipalities in support of environmentally sustainable municipal infrastructure projects such as green energy, public transit, water and wastewater infrastructure, and local roads.
“The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador was pleased to partner with the Government of Canada and the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay to make this important project a reality,” said Minister O’Brien. “Our government has made significant investments in infrastructure throughout Newfoundland and Labrador and this exciting project will provide enhanced wastewater treatment for residents of the region and protect the natural environment which Labrador is world- renowned. This is both a great infrastructure project and an example of environmental stewardship.”
Initial work on the treatment plant began in September 2011.
“Having this project come to reality has been a long standing priority not only for the Town Council but for the residents of our town,” said Mayor Abbass. “We appreciate that the federal and provincial governments have partnered with us to build this much needed infrastructure. It will allow for a cleaner environment and healthier community.”
The project includes the design and construction of both a collection system to intercept the wastewater flow from sewage outfalls, and a wastewater lagoon system to treat and disinfect the effluent before discharging it to the environment. The site for the approximately 7.5 hectare facility is a parcel of land north of Mud Lake Road in the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The project includes the construction of two lift stations and a force main, a building containing a screening and grit removal system, aerated lagoons for secondary treatment of wastewater and an ultraviolet disinfection system.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Representatives of the federal, provincial and municipal governments came together today to announce the cost-shared arrangements to construct a new $22.4 million sewage treatment plant for the residents of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The funding was announced by Peter Penashue, Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador, and federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada; along with Nick McGrath, provincial Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs; and Happy Valley-Goose Bay Mayor Leo Abbass.
Initial work on the treatment plant began in September.
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INFORMATION:
Cory Hann
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and
President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada
613-943-1838
Doug Burgess
Director, Public Affairs
ACOA Newfoundland and Labrador
709-772-2935
Ken Morrissey
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal Affairs
709-729-1983, 685-6612
kenmorrissey@gov.nl.ca
