Nipigon, Ontario, January 22, 2013 – The Township of Nipigon is pleased to have a newly improved wastewater treatment facility thanks to funding from the governments of Canada and Ontario.
The project consisted of adding a secondary treatment process to Nipigon's wastewater treatment centre. A new control building to house all the systems that control and monitor the plant's operations was constructed, and the facility's tanks, pumps, filters and storage capacity were upgraded, making the plant more efficient. These upgrades have improved the plant's control and monitoring capabilities, as well as its emergency backup power system.
"Infrastructure investments are an important driver of economic growth and job creation in Canada, and I am pleased that this new facility will support the health of local residents, while protecting Nipigon Bay from pollution,"
said Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "Our Government is proud to help strengthen the community of Nipigon and protect the environment for future generations."
"The Ontario government is making targeted infrastructure investments to create more vibrant rural communities, strong economies and jobs,"
said Michael Gravelle, Member of Provincial Parliament for Thunder Bay-Superior North. "We are pleased to have contributed to this important wastewater infrastructure project, which will support community growth, protect the environment and help keep our water clean for local residents."
"The Township of Nipigon is pleased that the project is now complete and that we are seeing improvements in the quality of water released into the river,"
said Richard Harvey, Mayor of the Township of Nipigon. "We would like to take this opportunity to thank the federal and provincial governments for partnering with us on this important project as a project of this scale would not have been possible without their generous support. We would also like to thank their staff for their hard work and co-operation for delivering on the much needed upgrades. We look forward to many more cost-sharing initiatives in the future to repair or replace our aging infrastructure."
The Government of Canada contributed $3.45 million from the Major Infrastructure Component of the Building Canada Fund to upgrade the facility. The Province of Ontario also contributed $3.45 million to this $6.9-million project.
The Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component provides funding for infrastructure projects of national and regional significance. Two-thirds of funding, on a national basis, is directed to five national priorities, including drinking water, wastewater, public transit, the core National Highway System, and clean energy.
Canada's Economic Action Plan promotes new opportunities for growth, job creation and long-term prosperity. Strengthening infrastructure across the country is 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 industrialized countries. Canada has been a leader among G-7 countries throughout the recovery with more than 922,000 net new jobs created since July 2009.
This investment 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. Since 2003, Ontario has invested approximately $75 billion in infrastructure. 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.
For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure and to stay up-to-date with Infrastructure Canada Web feeds, visit Infrastructure Canada's web site.
For more information on how Ontario is revitalizing its infrastructure, visit the Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure web site.
Contacts:
Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure
416-325-0781
Geoff Aitken
Public Works Superintendent
Township of Nipigon
807-887-3135 extension 28
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Or toll-free 1-877-250-7154
