Hays Creek pump station to be upgraded thanks to Canada’s Gas Tax Fund
Prince Rupert, British Columbia, February 23, 2012 – The City of Prince Rupert will receive new funding for further upgrades to Hays Creek sewer outfall. The project will involve the installation of a secondary pump station to complete the relocation and decommission of a sewer line that currently runs within Hays Creek.
“Our government is proud to deliver long-term infrastructure funding for municipalities to support job creation and economic growth,” said the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway. “Canada’s Gas Tax Fund delivers stable, annual funding that provides communities with certainty and flexibility to choose their own infrastructure priorities. This project will have a positive, lasting impact on Prince Rupert, not only improving the water quality of Hays Creek, but also helping to protect the local salmon habitat.”
The project will also improve the surrounding trail network to provide a better link between the waterfront and the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre. The full estimated project cost of $650,130 is being provided by Canada’s Gas Tax Fund.
“Being able to upgrade the sewer outfall through support from the Gas Tax Fund as well as enabling positive benefits for salmon habitat and the trail network is a practical way to improve infrastructure,” said Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. “The City should be commended for its commitment to addressing the current and long-term needs of area families in conjunction with the health of the environment.”
“We are really very pleased with the support shown from the federal government for this vital infrastructure project to the residents of the City of Prince Rupert,” said Jack Mussallem, Mayor of Prince Rupert. “The City has been working diligently for several years now on a plan to improve the Hays Creek sewer outfall. This federal funding will allow us to remove the sewer line running under Hays Creek, improving its water quality, and protecting salmon habitat while offering improved service to residents in the area.”
Canada’s Gas Tax Fund provides stable, long-term funding to local governments and other organizations to help them build and revitalize public infrastructure. This program primarily supports capital projects such as local roads, public transit, energy systems and waste management infrastructure that lead to cleaner air, cleaner water or reduced greenhouse gas emissions. 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.
“There are big gains in efficiency and protecting the environment when aging wastewater infrastructure is replaced,” said Heath Slee, President of UBCM. “UBCM appreciates the support the federal Gas Tax Fund is providing to help communities replace facilities that have exceeded their service life.”
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
Richard Pucci
Project Coordinator
City of Prince Rupert
250-627-0956
Bill Horne
General Manager of Engineering & Public Works
City of Prince Rupert
250-627-0954
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
