Government of Canada supports improvements to Pictou's water treatment and distribution system

News Release

Project made possible thanks to New Building Canada Plan

July 23, 2015 –– Town of Pictou, Nova Scotia – Infrastructure Canada

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Regional Minister for Nova Scotia, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, was joined today by Pam Eyking, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Victoria-The Lakes, and Joe Hawes, Mayor of the Town of Pictou, to announce federal funding of up to $1,678,567 for Phase 2 of the Pictou Water Upgrades Project under the New Building Canada Plan in Nova Scotia.

This phase involves designing and constructing a centralized water treatment plant to remove concentrations of iron and manganese from the Town's water supply. Reduction chambers and boosting stations will also be installed in the distribution system to balance pressure during periods of peak demand.

Pictou's existing water distribution system draws water directly from groundwater wells that contain high levels of naturally occurring iron and manganese. Due to the low pressure of the Town's distribution system and the reaction of iron and manganese with chlorine disinfectants, these contaminants have settled and accumulated in the water distribution pipes. This project will significantly improve the treatment and distribution of drinking water for Pictou's residents and businesses.

The New Building Canada Plan is the largest and longest federal infrastructure plan in Canada's history.
This unprecedented commitment is providing $53 billion to support provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure between 2014 and 2024.

Quick facts

The Government of Canada has selected this project for funding consideration of up one third of the total eligible costs ($5,035,700), to a maximum of $1,678,567, under the New Building Canada Fund's Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component—National and Regional Projects. This funding is conditional on the project meeting applicable federal eligibility requirements with respect to the New Building Canada Fund and the signing of a contribution agreement.
The Government of Nova Scotia will also contribute one third of the project costs up to $1,678,566.
The Town of Pictou will be responsible for the remaining costs of the project.
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.

Quotes

"With the New Building Canada Fund, our Government's support for public infrastructure has never been stronger. We are pleased to work with the Government of Nova Scotia to approve projects under the New Building Canada Fund. Investing in these upgrades to Pictou's water treatment and distribution system will ensure that infrastructure funding continues to flow as we focus on creating jobs, promoting growth, and building strong, prosperous communities across Canada."

-The Honourable Peter MacKay, Regional Minister for Nova Scotia, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and Member of Parliament for Central Nova

"We recognize the importance of investing in municipal infrastructure. The provincial government's support for this water treatment system in the Town of Pictou helps ensure this key piece of infrastructure is constructed for the benefit of residents and businesses. This funding shows our commitment to strong communities in Nova Scotia and we will continue to work collaboratively with our federal and municipal colleagues."

-Pam Eyking, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Victoria-The Lakes

"This announcement is the start of a solution to a big problem – water discolouration and uneven and fluctuating water pressures throughout the Town of Pictou. It is a big project that will take over a year to complete, but will address Council's number one priority and a longstanding issue. Needless to say our Council is very excited and appreciative of this announcement."

-Joe Hawes, Mayor of the Town of Pictou

Associated links

Learn more about the New Building Canada Fund – Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects.
For additional information on the New Building Canada Plan.
For additional information on 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

Clarissa Lamb
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Justice
613-992-4621

Tracy Barron
Media Relations Advisor
Province of Nova Scotia
902-424-3733
Tracy.Barron@novascotia.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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Government of Canada supports improvements to Pictou's water treatment and distribution system

News Release

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