Powell River, British Columbia, May 18, 2012 – Powell River`s drinking water supply is more reliable and secure thanks to joint investments by the governments of Canada and British Columbia, and the City of Powell River toward improvements to the city’s water system.
“I am pleased that these upgrades will ensure Powell River residents can depend upon a reliable, secure and high-quality water supply for years to come,” said John Weston, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea-to-Sky Country, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “Canada’s Economic Action Plan has delivered for Powell River, and I am proud that our investments supported this priority infrastructure project that will contribute to the well-being of our community and the local economy.”
“Improvements in the community’s water treatment means reliable drinking water for citizens now and into the future,” said Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. “Through funding partnerships among the various levels of government, sustainable infrastructure improvements are realized sooner than would otherwise be possible.”
“Water is our most valuable natural asset,” said Dave Formosa, Mayor of Powell River. “We appreciate the governments’ contributions towards ensuring our community has safe and reliable drinking water. We must all do our part to protect and conserve this precious resource now and for future generations.”
The project involved the construction of an ultraviolet disinfection facility at Haslam Lake, a 7.75-million-litre treated water storage tank, a pump station, a new sewer main and a water transmission main between the Haslam Lake and Powell Lake systems. This work will ensure that the more than 13,000 residents currently served by the Powell River water supply have reliable access to safe drinking water.
The governments of Canada and British Columbia, and the City of Powell River each committed over $2.8 million through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund toward eligible project costs of $8,485,000.
The Government of Canada is focused on creating new opportunities for jobs, growth and long-term prosperity, and infrastructure investments are an important part of this plan. 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 750,000 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.
For further information on 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.
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Contacts:
Geneviève Sicard
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Jeff Rud
Director of Communications
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250-953-3677
Marie Claxton
City of Powell River
604-485-6291
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
