Gallagher Lake, British Columbia, September 13, 2012 – Residents of Gallagher Lake will soon benefit from a new sanitary sewer system that will eliminate the community's reliance on individual septic tanks. The Government of Canada, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) and the Province of British Columbia today announced funding for this important infrastructure initiative.
"This project will help protect freshwater sources and once complete, Gallagher Lake residents will no longer have to rely on septic tanks,"
said Dan Albas, Member of Parliament for Okanagan—Coquihalla. "Our Government will continue to invest in local infrastructure priorities as we focus on creating jobs, promoting economic growth and building strong, prosperous communities."
Gallagher Lake has a residential population of 350, and is home to a number of recreational, commercial and industrial facilities. The project will design and construct a sewer system that will connect properties in the area to a treatment plant located on Osoyoos Indian Band lands.
"We are pleased with the support shown from the senior levels of government for this vital infrastructure project for the residents of the Gallagher Lake area,"
said Dan Ashton, Regional District Chair. "The Regional District has been working in conjunction with the Osoyoos Indian Band for several years on a plan to improve the Gallagher Lake Sanitary Sewer, and this funding will enable us to prevent septic tank discharge to the underground aquifer, improving its water quality and allaying environmental concerns while offering much improved service to residents in the area."
The project will receive over $360,000 from Canada's Gas Tax Fund, with additional funding of $200,000 provided through RDOS Area C reserve funds and through debt financing. A Liquid Waste Management Plan is underway to ensure public input has been considered.
"The Gax Tax fund allows local governments to address important infrastructure priorities that contribute to a healthier, more sustainable B.C.,” said John Slater, MLA for Boundary-Similkameen. "Upgrading sewage systems is an important step towards protecting precious water sources, which provide clean drinking water and recreational amenities to residents and tourists."
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.
"This project is a great example of local governments, First Nations and the federal government pooling resources to deliver efficient and effective infrastructure for local residents,"
said Heath Slee, President of UBCM. "UBCM is very appreciative of collaborative approaches such as this to build core services."
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
250-208-4028
Paul Taylor
Relationships and Communications Advisor
UBCM
250-356-2938
Doug French
Public Works Manager
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen
250-492-0237
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
