Project will protect the environment and create jobs
CORNWALL, ONTARIO, April 27, 2012–Significant upgrades are now underway at the Cornwall Waste Water Treatment Plant thanks to a funding partnership between the federal, provincial and municipal governments.
Improvements to the existing facility and the addition of three new buildings for filtering and screening will provide enhanced disinfection and treatment services. These upgrades will enable the City of Cornwall to better protect the environment and ensure the health and safety of residents while creating local jobs. The project is expected to be completed by April 2014.
“Modern and effective waste water infrastructure is essential to ensuring the health and well-being of our communities,” said Guy Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “Our government is proud to invest in the renewal of this facility which will create jobs and economic growth in the Cornwall region, and help to protect the St. Lawrence River for future generations.”
“Ontario is making strategic infrastructure investments to strengthen our communities, support local economies and create jobs for families,” said Grant Crack, Member of Provincial Parliament for Glengarry—Prescott—Russell. “These critical waste water upgrades will protect the environment and improve the quality of life for residents of Cornwall, now and in the future.”
"This is the largest infrastructure project that the City of Cornwall has ever undertaken, and it is an important one," said Mayor Bob Kilger. "In addition to the numerous environmental benefits, this project will also support future growth and infrastructure expansion in the City."
The Government of Canada is providing up to $18.5 million through the Green Infrastructure Fund toward eligible project costs. The Province of Ontario has already contributed $18.5 million. The City of Cornwall will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of $55.5 million.
The Green Infrastructure Fund is a key part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. It focuses on priorities such as upgrading wastewater treatment systems; clean energy generation and transmission lines; and investing in hydro, wind and solar power. Clean energy infrastructure contributes to improved air quality and lower carbon emissions.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2012 focuses on creating new opportunities for jobs and growth, and securing long-term prosperity for Canadians. Investing in public infrastructure is an important part of this strategy. Thanks to the Government of Canada’s leadership, and our strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other countries. Canada has been a leader among G-7 countries throughout the recovery with more than 690,000 net new jobs created since July 2009. To learn more about the opportunities in Economic Action Plan 2012, visit www.budget.gc.ca/2012/home-accueil-eng.html.
This project also supports Building Together, the Government of Ontario’s long-term infrastructure plan to repair, rebuild and renew the province’s roads and highways, bridges, public transit, schools and postsecondary institutions, hospitals and courthouses. Including investments in 2011-2012, the government has invested $75 billion in infrastructure since 2003. Building modern, efficient infrastructure has created or preserved close to 100,000 jobs each year, on average, making Ontario’s economy more productive and improving quality of life, now and in the future.
The Cornwall Waste Water Treatment Plant upgrade is just one step in the City of Cornwall’s effort to reduce its impact on the environment. Cornwall City Council has identified the environment as a key strategic priority. To that end, the City has been working to increase its sustainability efforts through a number of projects and initiatives including: a pilot program to equip street lights with LED lighting; the introduction of weekly recycling collection in April; extended leaf and yard waste collection periods; enhanced procedures and training around idling for Infrastructure and Municipal Works vehicles; and the formation of an Energy Efficiency Working Group to assist in developing the City’s energy efficiency policy.
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For additional information about investments in infrastructure, visit infrastructure.gc.ca.
For more information on how Ontariois revitalizing its infrastructure, visit ontario.ca/infrastructure.
For more information on the Waste Water Treatment Plant project, please visit www.Cornwall.ca.
Contacts:
Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities,
613-991-0700
Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure
416-325-0781
Morris McCormick
Division Manager, Environmental Services/IMW
City of Cornwall
613-930-2787, extension 2582
InfrastructureCanada
613-960-9251 or toll-free 1-877-250-7154
