Canadian Upgrades Will Benefit Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem
Source Ontario Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal
Canada's New Government, along with the Government of Ontario and the City of Brockville, announced joint infrastructure funding to upgrade a wastewater system that will help improve the health and safety of the community and protect the environment.
The announcement was made by Member of Parliament for Leeds-Grenville, Gord Brown, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable John Gerretsen, Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and the Mayor of Brockville, David Henderson.
Investments of up to $46 million will help reduce the impact of wastewater on aquatic life and on the natural environment of the St. Lawrence River. Wastewater system improvements will bring the Brockville Water Pollution Control Centre to a secondary level of treatment, which will reduce the concentrations of ammonia, chlorine and other pollutants being released into the St. Lawrence River. Improvements will also help the Water Pollution Control Centre to accommodate waste from private septic systems. The Government of Canada will contribute up to $23 million to this project. The Government of Ontario will contribute up to $7.7 million and the City of Brockville will contribute up to $15.3 million.
“Canada's New Government is delivering on its commitment to support infrastructure investments that protect the environment and improve the quality of life for the residents of Brockville. This is a commitment that both Minister John Baird and Minister Jim Flaherty have made and our government is delivering. We are pleased to partner with the Province of Ontario and the City of Brockville to move forward on this important project," said MP Brown.
In tandem, federal and provincial financial support is also being provided for infrastructure improvements that will ensure cleaner wastewater in the City of Sarnia, with a joint investment of up to $34.9 million. The total commitment of almost $81 million in both cities will support the Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem by improving the water quality of the Great Lakes Basin.
Financial support is conditional on meeting applicable federal and provincial requirements, including the successful completion of environmental assessments required under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, and the successful negotiation of a contribution agreement.
The federal contribution is provided through the existing Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF), which supports large-scale infrastructure projects that strengthen areas vital to sustaining economic growth and enhancing quality of life for Canadians.
The provincial investment is through ReNew Ontario, a $30 billion plus, five-year strategic plan to upgrade and transform Ontario's infrastructure to meet the needs of the 21st century.
Source: Ontario Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal