Government of Canada Announces Important Wastewater Improvements in the District of Clare

CLARE, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwired - June 26, 2015) - Infrastructure Canada

Greg Kerr, Member of Parliament for West Nova, 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, today announced $433,401 in federal funding for wastewater system expansion in Clare through the Small Communities Fund. Member of Parliament Kerr was joined by Gordon Wilson, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Clare-Digby, and Ronnie LeBlanc, Warden for the Municipality of the District of Clare.

The project involves extending the sanitary sewer system along Highway 1 by 1,200 metres to add more households to the municipal system. Geotube technology will also be installed at the existing wastewater treatment facility as part of the project. The dewatering system will reduce the volume of sludge, decreasing the frequency of transportation and improving environmental protection. Once completed, the project will provide wastewater collection services to residents with failing on-site septic systems and significantly improve environmental protection at the treatment facility.

The project announced today is among 16 projects recently approved for more than $22 million in joint funding under the Small Communities Fund in Nova Scotia. These projects represent important investments in the drinking water and wastewater infrastructure that maintains 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 Nova Scotia will each provide $42,649,416 to support projects in Nova Scotia 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 Clare project, the Government of Canada will contribute up to one third of the total eligible project costs of $1,300,202, to a maximum of $433,401, under the New Building Canada Fund's Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component-Small Communities Fund.
  
  
• The Government of Nova Scotia will also contribute one third of the project costs up to $433,401.
  
  
• The District of Clare will be responsible for the remaining project costs.
  
  
• For the 16 projects altogether, the Government of Canada is providing up to one third of the total eligible costs to a maximum federal contribution of $7,542,215.
  
  
• The Province of Nova Scotia will contribute up to $7,542,215 to these projects.
  
  
• Nova Scotia communities will be responsible for the remaining costs of the 16 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."

Greg Kerr, Member of Parliament for West Nova, 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 economic and social value of supporting municipalities that invest in quality infrastructure for their citizens. We will continue to work collaboratively with our federal and municipal colleagues to make improvements to key infrastructure such as water and wastewater systems, helping us build stronger communities across Nova Scotia."

Gordon Wilson, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Clare-Digby

"This key piece of infrastructure, supported by our three levels of government, is necessary in order for the Municipality of Clare to continue to offer quality services to our citizens."

Ronnie LeBlanc, Warden for the Municipality of the District of Clare

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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