Funding to help construct leading-edge wastewater treatment facilities
Sechelt, British Columbia, January 10, 2011 – Residents of Sechelt will benefit from the construction of new wastewater treatment facilities, thanks to $8 million in funding from the Government of Canada’s Gas Tax Fund.
“Our Government is proud to deliver long-term infrastructure funding for municipalities through a permanent annual investment of $2 billion through the Gas Tax Fund,” said John Weston, MP for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “This investment will benefit the local economy, support a cleaner environment and provide Sechelt residents with energy-efficient wastewater treatment for years to come.”
Sechelt’s current wastewater treatment facilities range from 20 to 35 years old, and utilize biological reactions that produce odours and do not meet forthcoming treatment standards. In addition to adding much needed treatment capacity, the facilities will apply treatment standards that meet or exceed future legislated requirements.
“Receiving this funding means a great deal to Sechelt,” said John R. Henderson, Mayor of Sechelt. “It will enable us to build a state-of-the-art, green wastewater treatment solution that will eliminate the odours and noise our citizens currently endure. It will also significantly reduce the financial burden of this project for local taxpayers. Sechelt looks forward to being a leader in wastewater treatment technology innovation and a model for other communities across Canada.”
“Using Gas Tax Funds to examine various wastewater treatment options is a practical decision by the community,” said Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. “Partnerships to fund large infrastructure improvements such as this mean Sechelt families will benefit sooner from improvements to their existing facility.”
Canada’s Gas Tax Fund provides stable, long-term funding to local governments and other organizations to help them build and revitalize public infrastructure. The fund primarily supports capital projects to improve local roads, public transit, energy systems, drinking water, air quality, wastewater and solid waste management. The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) administers the Gas Tax Fund in BC in collaboration with Canada and British Columbia. On December 15, 2011, the Government of Canada passed legislation to make the Gas Tax Fund a permanent annual investment of $2 billion.
“Higher standards for wastewater treatment are good for the environment and good for communities, but they come with a cost,” said Heath Slee, President of UBCM. “I am very appreciative of the support the Government of Canada is providing through the federal Gas Tax Fund to help communities upgrade local systems.”
For further information on the Government of Canada’s infrastructure investments in British Columbia, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For more information:
Pierre Floréa
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Jeff Rud
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250-208-4028
Paul Taylor
Relationships and Communications Advisor
UBCM
250-356-2938
Connie Jordison
District of Sechelt
604-885-1986
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
