Grande Prairie, Alberta, November 16, 2012 – Residents and businesses in Grande Prairie will soon benefit from improved wastewater infrastructure thanks to a joint funding commitment from the Government of Canada and Aquatera Utilities Inc.
"This essential infrastructure project will allow our local community to grow and prosper in both the short and longer term, and this investment will help reduce costs for local families and businesses,"
said Chris Warkentin, Member of Parliament for Peace River, on behalf of Canada's Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Denis Lebel. "Our government is proud to invest in local infrastructure as we focus on creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity in Grande Prairie and across Canada."
Aquatera's wastewater treatment plant needs to be upgraded to meet higher treatment standards, and to provide greater capacity to accommodate growth in the Grande Prairie region. The population of Grande Prairie has grown 16% from 2001 to 2011, with regional growth adding over 18,000 to the population.
"We are pleased to have the Government of Canada's support in completing upgrades to our wastewater treatment plant,"
said Andy Beal, Chair of Aquatera's Board of Directors. "This support will promote continued strong growth in the Grande Prairie region."
The Government of Canada is committing up to $10 million under the Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component for the construction of the second phase of upgrades to the plant. Federal funding is conditional on the signing of a contribution agreement. The total cost of the project is $58 million project. Aquatera will contribute $48 million to the project.
Over the summer, the Government of Canada has engaged provinces, territories, municipalities and key stakeholders in a series of roundtables to guide the development of a new long-term infrastructure plan that will support job creation, economic growth and prosperity. We understand that we are on the right track: there is a need for strong, sustained investment and we must continue to work together moving forward. To improve infrastructure across Canada and ensure affordability and sustainability over the long term, our new plan will encourage greater use of public-private partnerships. This will help leverage new investments in infrastructure, while respecting Canadian taxpayers' ability to pay.
For additional information about federal 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
Tim Conrad
Communications Manager, Aquatera Utilities Inc.
780-513-5220
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
