Springhill, Nova Scotia, March 23, 2012 – Residents of the Town of Springhill today celebrated the completion of work on two important water infrastructure projects. Scott Armstrong, Member of Parliament for Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, accompanied by His Worship Allen Dill, Mayor of the Town of Springhill, participated in today's ceremony. The Honourable John MacDonell, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, is pleased with the Government of Nova Scotia's support to this project.
A Government of Canada investment helped rebuild the water and sewer systems that run under Drummond, Church, Main and Princess streets. As well, the federal government provided the Town of Springhill with funding for a new ultraviolet light system to help ensure the safe and efficient treatment of wastewater.
"Investing in local infrastructure creates local jobs, strengthens the economy and improves Canadians' quality of life,"
said MP Armstrong. "Our Government's top priority is the economy, and we are proud to deliver permanent annual infrastructure funding for municipalities through Canada's Gas Tax Fund."
"We are pleased to work with our federal and municipal partners to make strategic investments in water and wastewater initiatives in the Town of Springhill,"
said Minister MacDonell. "We are committed to investing in infrastructure projects that make our communities safer and healthier, while creating good jobs and growing the economy."
"Without federal and provincial funding, Springhill could not have built and revitalized Drummond, Church, Main and Princess Streets,"
said Mayor Dill. "It is essential for these programs to ensure we can invest in projects to make Springhill a Community of Choice."
The Government of Canada invested $590,850 in these two projects through the Gas Tax Fund, a key federal program which 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 and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The Government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia also invested $505,500 each to renew the water and sewer systems under Drummond, Church, Main and Princess streets through the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund. The Communities Component helps smaller communities address their local infrastructure needs and priorities.
Canada's Gas Tax Fund provides $55.9 million in annual funding for municipal infrastructure in Nova Scotia. On December 15, 2011, the Government of Canada passed legislation that made the Gas Tax Fund a permanent annual investment.
For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure, visit infrastructure.gc.ca. To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
Contacts:
Geneviève Sicard
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Susan D Mader-Zinck
Communications Advisor
Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations
902-722-1461
E-mail: madersd@gov.ns.ca
Cathy Coon
Town of Springhill
902-597-3752
E-mail: ccoon@townofspringhill.ns.ca
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll-free 1-877-250-7154
