Government of Canada Supports Important Improvements to the Water Management System in St. Stephen Through the Small Communities Fund

ST. STEPHEN, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwired - May 22, 2015) - Infrastructure Canada

John Williamson, Member of Parliament for New Brunswick Southwest, 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 John Ames, Member of the Legislature for Charlotte-Campobello, and John Quartermain, Mayor of St. Stephen, to announce $929,437 in federal funding for the Prince William Street water system renewal project in St. Stephen.

The project involves renewing the sanitary and storm water sewer system along 1.3 kilometres of Prince William Street between King Street and Dennis Stream. Where pipes double as sanitary sewer and storm water conduits, separate lines will also be created. This will decrease the flow of storm water into the sanitary sewer system, thus reducing the burden on the waste water treatment plant as well as overflow incidents. Once completed, the project will improve the efficiency of the wastewater collection and treatment system in the area, improve protection against property damage from flooding, and refresh the roadway and sidewalks for drivers and pedestrians.

The project announced today is among 38 projects recently approved for more than $79 million in joint funding under the Small Communities Fund in New Brunswick. These projects represent important investments in the drinking water, disaster mitigation and wastewater infrastructure that maintain safe, healthy communities. Once complete, the work will significantly improve key municipal services for residents and help boost regional development for years to come.

The $1-billion Small Communities Fund provides funding for priority public infrastructure projects that deliver on local needs across the country. Canada and New Brunswick will each provide $39,363,723 to support projects in New Brunswick communities with fewer than 100,000 residents over the course of the funding program. This will help address local infrastructure priorities and boost economies in small communities throughout the province well into the future.

Quick Facts:

• For the infrastructure renewal project, the Government of Canada will contribute up to one third of the total eligible project costs of $2,788,312, to a maximum of $929,437, under the New Building Canada Fund's Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component-Small Communities Fund.
• The Government of New Brunswick will also contribute one third of the project costs up to $929,437.
• The Town of St. Stephen will be responsible for the remaining project costs.
• For the 38 projects altogether, the Government of Canada is providing up to one third of the total eligible costs to a maximum federal contribution of $26,430,266.
• The Province of New Brunswick will contribute up to $26,430,266 to these projects.
• New Brunswick communities will be responsible for the remaining costs of the 38 projects.

Quotes:

"Our Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, understands that by building stronger communities and modernizing and developing our infrastructure, we are creating jobs and opportunities and building a better Canada for future generations. The Small Communities Fund of the New Building Canada Fund supports economic growth from coast to coast to coast while ensuring that Canadian communities remain among the best in the world to live."

John Williamson, Member of Parliament for New Brunswick Southwest, 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

"This project is about all levels of government working together to protect our environment and build stronger, sustainable communities. It's about creating jobs and having the infrastructure we need to provide essential services, while also enhancing our quality of life."

John Ames, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Charlotte-Campobello

"We are pleased to be collaborating with both the provincial and federal government to bring much needed improvements to St. Stephen's water and wastewater system. Reliable and effective infrastructure is essential to ensuring small communities like St. Stephen can continue to grow and flourish."

John Quartermain, Mayor of St. Stephen

Associated Links:

To learn more about the Small Communities Fund, please visit http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/sc-cp-eng.html.

For additional information on the New Building Canada Plan, visit http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nbcp-npcc-eng.html.

To learn more about the Government of Canada's focus on jobs and the economy consult Canada's Economic Action Plan at http://www.budget.gc.ca/2015/home-accueil-eng.html.

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