Government of Canada Supports Important Wastewater Infrastructure Upgrades in Rothesay Through the Small Communities Fund

ROTHESAY, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwired - July 14, 2015) - Infrastructure Canada

Rodney Weston, Member of Parliament for Saint John, 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 $2,499,000 in federal funding for wastewater infrastructure upgrades in Rothesay. MP Weston was joined by the Honourable Ed Doherty, New Brunswick Minister of Government Services, Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, and Minister responsible for the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation, and Bill Bishop, Mayor of the Town of Rothesay.

The project involves consolidating three lagoons into one mechanical wastewater treatment facility. This work will directly address flooding incidents, make the wastewater collection and treatment system in the area more efficient, and increase the community's capacity to accommodate future growth.

The project announced today is among 39 projects recently approved for more than $85 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 Rothesay project, the Government of Canada will contribute up to one third of the total eligible project costs of $7,497,002, to a maximum of $2,499,000, 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 $2,499,000.
• The Town of Rothesay will be responsible for the remaining project costs.
• For the 39 projects altogether, the Government of Canada is providing up to one third of the total eligible costs to a maximum federal contribution of $28,420,281.
• The Province of New Brunswick will also contribute up to $28,420,281 for these projects.
• New Brunswick communities will be responsible for the remaining costs of the 39 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."

Rodney Weston, Member of Parliament for Saint John, 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 major upgrade will modernize the town's wastewater collection system to increase capacity and protect the environment. The municipality and the province are working in partnership with the federal government to support the sustainability of this community and jobs."

The Honourable Ed Doherty, New Brunswick Minister of Government Services, Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, and Minister responsible for the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation

"The Town of Rothesay is pleased to partner with both provincial and federal governments on this project. Improving our wastewater infrastructure will provide better services to our residents and will ensure that wastewater services are delivered in a sustainable and environment friendly way."

Bill Bishop, Mayor of the Town of Rothesay

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