Harper Government Announces support for Families and their Enjoyment of the Ottawa River

News Release

Project possible thanks to New Building Canada Plan

April 7, 2015 – Ottawa, Ontario – Infrastructure Canada

The Harper Government has identified a new project for funding consideration of up to $62.09 million under the New Building Canada Fund to help families enjoy the Ottawa River. This project is part of the Ottawa River Action Plan: a multi-year initiative that will help clean up the Ottawa River.

The project announced today involves building two interconnected underground combined sewage storage tunnels, consisting of an east-west tunnel through the downtown core from LeBreton Flats to Stanley Park and a north-south tunnel along Kent Street from Chamberlain Street to Wellington Street. The tunnels will provide additional storage of combined sewage and act as reinforcements for Ottawa's main wastewater pipe, the Interceptor Outfall Sewer, to help reduce the contamination of the Ottawa River so that the community can safely enjoy it.

The New Building Canada Fund is a component of the New Building Canada Plan, the largest and longest federal infrastructure plan in Canada's history. This unprecedented commitment will provide $53 billion over the next decade to support provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure. Over the next ten years, Ontario will benefit from approximately $11 billion in dedicated federal funding, including more than $2.7 billion under the New Building Canada Fund.

Member of Parliament for Ottawa—Orléans, Mr. Royal Galipeau, made the announcement. He was joined today by the Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Democratic Reform, along with the Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Ontario Minister of Energy and Member of Provincial Parliament for Ottawa West—Nepean; Ms Marie-France Lalonde, Member of Provincial Parliament for Ottawa—Orléans and His Worship Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa.

Quick facts

The Government of Canada has selected this project for funding consideration of up to $62.09 million under the New Building Canada Fund's Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component–National and Regional Projects. This funding is conditional on the signing of a contribution agreement.
The Government of Ontario will provide up to $62.09 million under its Moving Ontario Forward initiative.
The City of Ottawa will be responsible for all remaining costs of the project.
The total estimated project cost is $231,300,000.
The $53 billion New Building Canada Plan provides stable funding for a 10-year period, and includes:
- The Community Improvement Fund, consisting of the Gas Tax Fund and the incremental Goods and Services Tax Rebate for Municipalities, which will provide over $32 billion to municipalities for projects such as roads, public transit and recreational facilities, and other community infrastructure.
- The $14-billion New Building Canada Fund, which consists of:
  - The $4-billion National Infrastructure Component that will support projects of national significance; and
  - The $10-billion Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component for projects of national, regional and local significance. Of this amount, $1 billion for projects in communities with fewer than 100,000 residents through the Small Communities Fund.
- An additional $1.25 billion in funding for the Public-Private Partnerships (P3) Canada Fund administered by PPP Canada.
The Ottawa River Action Plan was identified as a priority in Ontario's 2014 Budget and included in the province's first submission under the Provincial Territorial Infrastructure Component of the Building Canada Fund.

Quotes

"Federal support for our communities has never been stronger than under the Harper Government. We are cleaning up the Ottawa River so that families can enjoy it. We are also making sure that families can get home sooner to spend more time together and small businesses can grow and compete."

- The Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Member of Parliament for Nepean–Carleton and Minister responsible for Northern and Eastern Ontario

"The Combined Sewage Storage Tunnel project is an important initiative in the Ottawa River Action Plan, in protecting and improving the quality of water in the Ottawa River. We are proud to consider an investment in this project, which will help to provide residents with safer water and cleaner waterways in the National Capital Region."

- Royal Galipeau, Member of Parliament for Ottawa—Orléans

"Ontario is investing in local infrastructure projects that enrich communities and create jobs across the province. The Ontario government identified the Ottawa River Action Plan in our 2014 Budget as a priority project that promotes the health and environmental sustainability of the surrounding community while generating economic activity in the Ottawa area. This is the first project announced in Ontario under the Building Canada Fund, and we are pleased to be one step closer to safeguarding the Ottawa River for generations to come."

- The Honourable Brad Duguid, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure

"Today's announcement will allow us to complete the Ottawa River Action Plan — our top local environmental priority. Together, we will pass along the gift of a clean Ottawa River to the next generation."

- His Worship Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa

Associated links

To learn more about the New Building Canada Fund–Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component–National and Regional Projects.
To learn more about how Ontario is investing in modern and efficient infrastructure.
To learn more about the Ottawa River Action Plan.
For additional information on the New Building Canada Plan.
To learn more about the Government of Canada's focus on jobs and the economy consult Canada's Economic Action Plan.

Contacts

Vincent Rabault
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

Andrew Forgione
Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure
Minister's Office
416-212-4217
andrew.forgione@ontario.ca

Brigitte Marleau
Communications Branch
Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure
416-325-2479
brigitte.marleau@ontario.ca

City of Ottawa
Media Relations
613-580-2450
medias@ottawa.ca

Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll-free 1-877-250-7154
Email: media@infc.gc.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Website: Infrastructure Canada

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Harper Government Announces support for Families and their Enjoyment of the Ottawa River

News Release

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