Whitehorse, Yukon, March 22, 2013 – Canada Water Week (March 18–24) is a celebration of water and a time to recognize the importance of this vital resource to Canada's future. To provide safe drinking water for Yukoners, joint federal-territorial investments in water infrastructure are making a difference in communities across the territory.
"Clean drinking water is essential to the health of all Canadians,"
said Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament for Yukon. "Investing in water infrastructure is one of many ways we are supporting economic growth and building stronger, safer and more prosperous communities."
"Ensuring clean drinking water for Yukoners is a priority for our government,"
Community Services Minister Elaine Taylor said. "Our partnerships with Canada, Yukon First Nations and municipalities are helping us build vibrant, healthy and sustainable communities in our territory."
To ensure that Yukoners have access to clean drinking water that meets the Canadian Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality, the governments of Yukon and Canada have invested $10.6 million in joint federal-territorial funding to support the following completed infrastructure initiatives for the period 2007/08-2012/13:
- Upgrades to Haines Junction's water treatment system;
- Upgrades to the Carcross/Tagish First Nation's water treatment plant in Tagish;
- A new water treatment plant for residents of Old Crow; and,
- A new water treatment system at the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN) Tahkini River Subdivision.
The Provincial-Territorial Base Fund is a key component of the Building Canada plan. Between 2007 and 2014, Yukon will receive a total of $182.91 million from the Government of Canada for core infrastructure priorities such as drinking water, wastewater, clean energy and safe roads. Funding is being made available to address territorial, local, and First Nation priorities and objectives. Over this period, Yukon and other partners will also contribute at least 25 percent of total eligible costs under the program, representing another estimated $60.97 million.
Other drinking water initiatives underway through joint investment from Canada and Yukon under the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund include upgrades to water treatment plants in Ross River, Carcross, Teslin, and water system upgrades in Mayo, Faro, Watson Lake, Deep Creek, Rock Creek and Mendenhall.
"The new arsenic treatment system at Takhini River Subdivision provides safe drinking water to our community members, and we also benefit from the improvements to the Haines Junction system in our subdivisions at Haines Junction, Canyon Creek and Champagne,"
Champagne and Aishihik First Nations chief James Allen said. "Providing safe water is fundamental to our evolving CAFN Water Strategy."
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 950,000 net new jobs created since July 2009.
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 Yukon is revitalizing its infrastructure, visit the Yukon Department of Community Services web site.
To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit Canada's Economic Action Plan.
For further information contact:
Geneviève Sicard
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Bonnie Venton Ross
Community Services
Government of Yukon
bonnie.ventonross@gov.yk.ca
867-393-6907
Matthew Grant
Cabinet Communications
Government of Yukon
matthew.grant@gov.yk.ca
867-393-6470
Amy McKinnon
Communications Manager
Champagne and Aishihik First Nations
almckinnon@cafn.ca
867 634-4237
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Backgrounder
Yukon has developed a long-term infrastructure plan which is being supported through the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund. Initiatives identified by the Government of Yukon, First Nation governments, municipalities, local advisory councils and Yukon citizens include: drinking water, wastewater, solid waste, roads and clean energy, in addition to other eligible investments under the program.
Water treatment plants are being built to provide safe drinking water that meets the Canadian Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality for a variety of naturally occurring metals, minerals, bacteria and other biological contaminants.
Details of the Initiatives:
Haines Junction
Water treatment plant
Total cost: $3.67 million
The new water treatment plant complements a multi-phase, multi-year initiative to improve the community's water infrastructure, including reservoirs, pump systems, water mains and pipes.
Champagne and Aishihik First Nation Tahkini River Subdivision
Water treatment system upgrade
Total cost: $580,000
This initiative provided for the purchase and installation of an upgraded water treatment system for this subdivision that meets regulatory requirements and the needs of the community.
Carcross/Tagish First Nation – Tagish
Water treatment plant upgrade
Total cost: $990,000
For the Carcross/Tagish First Nation, the water treatment plant supports a public fill point for local Tagish residents and bulk delivery to residents in the area.
Old Crow
Water treatment plant
Total cost: $5.37 million
The new innovative water treatment plant was built for the rigors of Old Crow's weather and terrain
