Burlington, Ontario, October 3, 2013 – Government representatives gathered today to witness progress made on the Skyway Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion and upgrades—the largest infrastructure capital project undertaken to date in Halton Region. Work includes expanding the facilities for preliminary treatment, upgrading the secondary treatment process, and constructing a new tertiary treatment facility.
"Our government understands the importance of upgrading the Skyway facility to ensure the health and well-being of this growing region,"
said Mike Wallace, Member of Parliament for Burlington, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec. "This project is not only creating local jobs and contributing to the economy, it is supporting future growth and will protect the environment for decades to come."
"Upgrading the Skyway facility will improve the quality of life for local residents and create jobs now and for the future,"
said Jeff Leal, Ontario Minister of Rural Affairs. "This investment is part of the Ontario government's economic plan to invest in people, invest in infrastructure and support a dynamic and innovative business climate."
"The expansion and upgrade of the Skyway plant will help Halton Region provide safe and effective wastewater treatment for our growing communities while protecting the sensitive environment of the bay,"
said Regional Chair Gary Carr. "This project also highlights the funding partnerships with all levels of government that are critical to our ability to meet our long-term infrastructure needs."
Improvements to the plant will ensure sufficient treatment capacity to support projected population growth in Burlington to 2031, as outlined in Halton Region's Wastewater 2011 Master Plan. By increasing the capacity of preliminary treatment, the plant will be better equipped to deal with future flows as well as wet weather flows. Improvements to the secondary treatment process, and the addition of tertiary treatment for wastewater being discharged from the plant, will help meet Hamilton Harbour's enhanced environmental protection needs. The project is scheduled to be completed in summer 2015.
The Government of Canada is contributing up to $51.5 million through the Green Infrastructure Fund toward eligible project costs. The Province of Ontario is contributing $51.5 million, while Halton Region is contributing the balance of the total eligible project cost of $158.9 million.
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 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 1 million net new jobs created since July 2009. The New Building Canada Plan, combined with other federal infrastructure investments, will support Canada's infrastructure advantage, a key enabler of economic growth and job creation.
These investments also support Building Together, the Province 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 $85 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.
"I am very excited about the formal launch of discussions under the renewed Gas Tax Fund,"
said Minister Lebel. "Our discussions today were very informative and productive, and will help us to have the new Gas Tax Fund agreements in place by April 1, 2014. This will ensure that the funding will continue to flow twice a year under the program."
Economic Action Plan 2013 builds on the Government of Canada's existing infrastructure investments and includes the $53 billion New Building Canada Plan to build roads, bridges, subways, commuter rail, and other public infrastructure in co-operation with provinces, territories, and municipalities over 10 years, starting in 2014–15.
Included under the New Building Canada Plan is the renewed Gas Tax Fund, which will be indexed at 2 per cent per year, with increases to be applied in $100 million increments. Over the 10-year life of the plan from 2014 to 2024, the Gas Tax Fund will represent close to $22 billion in funding for municipalities.
"Our Government is delivering the largest, long-term infrastructure plan in Canadian history. And we're excited for what it means for the future of Canadian communities,"
said Minister Lebel. "We have a flexible plan, and we are not imposing a made-in-Ottawa solution. The New Building Canada Plan is for your infrastructure priorities in your communities."
Through the original Building Canada plan, infrastructure stimulus measures and other infrastructure initiatives, the federal government has supported over 43,000 projects in Canada that have created jobs and economic growth and contributed to a higher quality of life for Canadian families. The New Building Canada Plan, combined with other federal infrastructure investments, supports Canada's infrastructure advantage, which is a key enabler of economic growth and job creation.
"Our Government recognizes that our infrastructure investments are helping to create jobs, stimulate the economy and provide safer public infrastructure in every city and community across Canada,"
said Minister Lebel. "I was pleased to speak today with the Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for Local Government and I look forward to working with our provincial and territorial partners to finalize the new agreements for the Gas Tax Fund."
For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure visit Infrastructure Canada or follow us on Twitter @INFC_eng.
For more information on how Ontario is revitalizing its infrastructure, visit Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure.
For more information on Halton Region infrastructure projects, visit Halton Region Infrastructure Projects.
Contacts
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
Bryan Bossin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Rural Affairs of Ontario
416-326-3072
Pamela Janes
Communications Specialist
Halton Region
905-825-6000, ext. 7232 or toll-free 1-866-442-5866
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
