Government of Canada supports new water treatment and distribution system for the Village of Pugwash and surrounding area

News Release

Project made possible thanks to New Building Canada Plan

July 29, 2015 –– Pugwash, Nova Scotia – Infrastructure Canada

Scott Armstrong, Member of Parliament for Cumberland–Colchester–Musquodoboit, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, was joined today by Terry Farrell, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Cumberland North, on behalf of Nova Scotia Municipal Affairs Minister, Zach Churchill, and Keith Hunter, Warden of the Municipality of the County of Cumberland, to announce federal funding of up to $4,977,360 for the Pugwash and Area Water Supply project under the New Building Canada Plan in Nova Scotia.

The project involves constructing a centralized water treatment plant, as well as associated reservoir and distribution infrastructure. Water meters for customers in the new drinking water system will also be installed as part of the project.

Residents and institutions in and around Pugwash currently rely on individual wells to supply drinking water. Many of these wells are contaminated with dangerous metals, including arsenic, lead and uranium, as well as elevated levels of chloride, making the water unsafe to drink. Once complete, this project will ensure the community has access to a clean and reliable supply of drinking water.

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.

Over this ten-year period, Nova Scotia will benefit from approximately $1 billion in dedicated federal funding, including almost $426 million under the New Building Canada Fund.

Quick facts

The Government of Canada has selected this project for funding consideration of up to one third of the total eligible costs ($14,932,080), to a maximum $4,977,360, 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 $4,977,360.
The Municipality of the County of Cumberland 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 the Pugwash and Area Water Supply project will ensure that infrastructure funding continues to flow as we focus on creating jobs, promoting growth, and building strong, prosperous communities across Canada."

-Scott Armstrong, Member of Parliament for Cumberland–Colchester–Musquodoboit, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

"We recognize the importance of investing in municipal infrastructure. The provincial government's support for a new water system for the Village of Pugwash helps ensure residents and businesses have access to a safe and reliable potable water supply. We will continue to work collaboratively with our federal and municipal colleagues to make infrastructure improvements that help us build stronger communities across Nova Scotia."

-Terry Farrell, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Cumberland North, on behalf of Nova Scotia Municipal Affairs Minister, Zach Churchill

"I am extremely pleased to be able to be a part of this announcement. Clean, potable water should be a right of every Canadian, and today we are one step closer to having a clean, potable water source for the residents of the Village of Pugwash. Pugwash has huge potential for growth, and now one less hindrance to that growth is being removed."

-Keith Hunter, Warden of the Municipality of the County of Cumberland

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

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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2016-12-14

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Government of Canada supports new water treatment and distribution system for the Village of Pugwash and surrounding area

News Release

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