Government of Canada Announces Important Water Infrastructure Improvements in the Town of Bridgewater

BRIDGEWATER, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwired - July 2, 2015) - Infrastructure Canada

Gerald Keddy, Member of Parliament for South Shore-St. Margaret's, 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 $444,514 in federal funding for water infrastructure improvements in Lunenburg through the Small Communities Fund. MP Keddy was joined by the Honourable Mark Furey, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Minister of Business, Minister of Service Nova Scotia, and Minister responsible for Nova Scotia Business Incorporated, and David Walker, Mayor of the Town of Bridgewater.

Bridgewater will use this funding to improve water and sewer infrastructure along King Street. Work includes upgrading water mains, sanitary sewer mains and storm sewer mains. The project will make the community's water treatment and distribution system more efficient, reduce wastewater overflows, and provide residents with more reliable access to high-quality drinking water.

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 Bridgewater project, the Government of Canada will contribute up to one third of the total eligible project costs of $1,333,543, to a maximum of $444,514, 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 $444,514.
• The Town of Bridgewater 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."

Gerald Keddy, Member of Parliament for South Shore-St. Margaret's, 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."

The Honourable Mark Furey, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Minister of Business, Minister of Service Nova Scotia, and Minister responsible for Nova Scotia Business Incorporated

"This funding announcement reinforces the importance of partnership between various levels of government and will assist us in revitalizing our downtown as a focal part of our community."

David Walker, Mayor of the Town of Bridgewater

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.

Follow us on Twitter at @INFC_eng