Government of Canada supports important water infrastructure improvements in Madawaska County

CLAIR, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwired - June 8, 2015) - Infrastructure Canada

The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and Member of Parliament for Madawaska-Restigouche, 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 $1,361,834 in federal funding for water infrastructure improvements in Clair, and $22,729 in federal funding for water infrastructure improvements in Saint-François-de-Madawaska through the Small Communities Fund. Minister Valcourt was joined by the Honourable Francine Landry, New Brunswick Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, Pierre Michaud, Mayor of Clair, and Gérard Cyr, Mayor of Saint-François-de-Madawaska.

Clair will use the funding to improve water mains and sanitary and storm sewers on Main Street. This work 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 make water treatment systems in the area more efficient and improve protection against property damage from flooding.

Saint-François-de-Madawaska will use the funding to improve water mains and sanitary and storm sewers. Work includes excavation to complete a triple trench from Montagne Street to Frontière Street. The storm sewer is currently too small and can cause overflows during heavy rain and melting snow. Once completed, the project will increase the efficiency of water treatment systems, reduce overflow incidents and improve protection against property damage from flooding.

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:

Clair:

• For the Clair project, the Government of Canada will contribute up to one third of the total eligible project costs of $4,085,503, to a maximum of $1,361,834, 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 $1,361,834.
• The Village of Clair will be responsible for the remaining project costs.

Saint-François-de-Madawaska:

• For the Saint-François-de-Madawaska project, the Government of Canada will contribute up to one third of the total eligible project costs of $68,187, to a maximum of $22,729, 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 $22,729.
• The Village of Saint-François-de-Madawaska 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."

The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and Member of Parliament for Madawaska-Restigouche, 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

"These projects support a clean environment through improvements to the village's wastewater collection system. We are proud of the partnership we have with Ottawa and the municipality to deliver new infrastructure and jobs to these communities."

The Honourable Francine Landry, New Brunswick Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour

"We're pleased to work with all levels of government to improve our necessary infrastructure for the residents and businesses of Clair. This is a great announcement that brings important upgrades to the heart of our community."

Pierre Michaud, Mayor of Clair

"Today's announcement will go a long way in ensuring our community has quality drinking water and effective sewer infrastructure. We're pleased to make these important investments together with our partners."

Gérard Cyr, Mayor of Saint-François-de-Madawaska

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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