A joint Canada-Quebec investment of close to $50.3 million for an essential service to the community
Thetford Mines, Quebec, September 16, 2013 – The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and Minister for La Francophonie and Member of Parliament for Mégantic—L'Érable, today joined Scott McKay, Member of the National Assembly for Repentigny and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Wildlife and Parks for Québec Water Policy, on behalf of Sylvain Gaudreault, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, Minister of Transport and Member of the National Assembly for Jonquière, to celebrate the inauguration of the drinking water treatment plant in Thetford Mines.
"Water is the basis of life and our Government is proud to support the construction of the Thetford Mines water treatment plant, which will provide access to clean and safe drinking water to this community for years to come,"
said Minister Paradis. "Investments in infrastructure, like this one, create jobs, support economic growth, and contribute to Canada's long-term prosperity."
"I am very proud to participate today in the inauguration of the new drinking water treatment plant in Thetford Mines, which is now equipped with ultra-modern critical infrastructure. Government funding for this new facility will allow the municipality to provide quality drinking water, thereby promoting the health and well-being of local citizens, as well as help improve the community's public services. Access to quality drinking water is a fundamental right and an essential service for all,"
added MNA Scott McKay.
"I am very pleased with the achievement of this important infrastructure project which will improve Thetford Mines's drinking water facilities and strengthen its attraction power,"
stated Luc Berthold, Mayor, who thanked the two levels of government for their tangible support for the new Thetford Mines drinking water treatment plant.
The broader project of upgrading drinking water supply facilities includes, amongst others, the construction of a treatment plant with a water intake in Grand Lac Saint-François, various work on the connections to the water supply systems of the Thetford Mines-Centre, Pontbriand and Robertsonville sectors, as well as the addition of drinking water reservoirs. For the Black Lake sector, work is planned to protect the groundwater supply wells and refurbish the pumping station and drinking water reservoirs. Some work is still underway and the project should be completed by spring 2014. Overall, these various improvements will help improve public health and the quality of life of local citizens.
The federal and provincial contributions are being provided under the Major Infrastructure Component of the Building Canada Fund, which funds public infrastructure with a national or regional impact. The total eligible cost of this project is estimated at more than $57.3 million. The maximum contribution from the governments of Canada and Quebec is up to $25.1 million each, to which a contribution from the City of Thetford Mines of just over $7 million is added.
Canada's Economic Action Plan 2013 is delivering a New Building Canada Plan to build roads, bridges, subways, commuter rail, and other public infrastructure in cooperation with provinces, territories, and municipalities. Thanks to the Government of Canada's leadership and 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 one million net new jobs created since July 2009. The New Building Canada Plan, combined with other federal infrastructure investments, supports Canada's infrastructure advantage, a key enabler of economic growth and job creation.
The Quebec government's contribution to this project is being made under the Quebec Infrastructure Plan.
For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure, visit Infrastructure Canada or follow us on Twitter at @INFC_eng.
For more information on the Quebec infrastructure plan, visit the Plan québécois des infrastructures. (available only in French)
For further information about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit Canada's Economic Action Plan.
Aussi disponible en francais.
Marie-Josée Paquette
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, and
Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
613-943-1838
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Marie-Eve Imonti
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy
514-873-2622
Catherine Salvail
Press Secretary
Office of Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Wildlife and Parks
418-521-3911
Caroline St-Pierre
Communications Directorate
Department of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy
418-691-2019
