Terrace, British Columbia, September 10, 2012 – The Governments of Canada and British Columbia and the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine announced funding today for improvements to solid waste facilities throughout the region. This project will create jobs and help protect the environment by building two modern treatment facilities, while closing or converting existing landfills.
"Our Government is proud to contribute to these new facilities which are an important step forward for the Kitimat-Stikine region,"
said the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages and Senior Minister Responsible for British Columbia. "We will continue to invest in local infrastructure initiatives to create jobs, promote economic growth and safeguard the environment for future generations."
Existing landfills across the Regional District will be either closed or converted to transfer stations, and in their place will be built two new facilities with modern treatment systems that will reduce the environmental impact of solid waste disposal in the region. The Forceman Ridge Landfill will be located 30 kilometres south of Terrace and the Hazelton Landfill will be located immediately adjacent to the old landfill of the same name. The Hazelton Landfill will serve two municipalities, eight First Nation communities and a large rural population in the Hazelton area.
The Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine will receive over $4.8 million from Canada's Gas Tax Fund toward the total cost of $9.7 million for these projects, with the balance of funding to be provided by the Regional District. The new facilities will help fulfill the Regional District's commitments under its Solid Waste Management Plan and Climate Action Charter.
"This is welcome news; this funding will allow the Regional District to move forward and improve the efficiency of solid waste management in our region while reducing our environmental impact, including greenhouse gas emissions,"
said Harry Nyce, Chair, Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine. "We are very appreciative of the support for this project provided by the Governments of Canada and British Columbia and Union of British Columbia Municipalities."
"Projects of this magnitude are often very challenging to tackle at the local level, and that's why this is a great example of the significant impact the Gas Tax Fund can have on the long-term sustainability of communities. By working together, we can achieve far more than when we work in isolation,"
said Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad. "I look forward to seeing the environmental benefits of this funding in action."
Canada's Gas Tax Fund provides stable, long-term funding to local governments to help them build and revitalize public infrastructure. In December 2011, the Government of Canada passed legislation to make the Gas Tax Fund a permanent annual investment of $2 billion per year. The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) administers the Gas Tax Fund in BC, in collaboration with Canada and British Columbia.
"Advances in technology are helping to reduce the environmental impact of landfills, but this technology comes at a cost,"
said Heath Slee, President of UBCM. "Federal investments from the Gas Tax Fund are helping BC communities to build better landfills that safeguard groundwater sources and reduce GHG emissions."
Investing in infrastructure is a key part of the Government of Canada's plan to create jobs, promote growth and ensure long-term prosperity. To develop a new long-term infrastructure plan for beyond 2014, the Government of Canada is working with provinces, territories, municipalities through municipal associations and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, as well as other key stakeholders in a series of roundtables. This plan will focus on investments that support job creation and economic growth, while building strong, prosperous communities across the country. Working together to develop this plan will provide new opportunities for all orders of government and the private sector to build partnerships to improve public infrastructure in Canada.
For additional information about investments in infrastructure and to stay up-to-date with Web feeds, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca.
For further information about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca
For additional information, please contact:
Geneviève Sicard
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Jeff Rud
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250-953-3677
Paul Taylor
Relationships and Communications Advisor
UBCM
250-356-2938
Roger Tooms
Manager, Works and Services
Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine
250-615-6100
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
