Government of Canada Supports Important Water Infrastructure Upgrades in Bouctouche and Saint-Antoine Through the Small Communities Fund

BOUCTOUCHE, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwired - July 22, 2015) - Infrastructure Canada

Senator Rose-May Poirier, 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 $1,144,963 in federal funding for drinking water and wastewater system upgrades in Bouctouche, and $699,953 for sanitary and storm sewer system upgrades in Saint-Antoine. Senator Poirier was joined by Benoît Bourque, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Kent South, on behalf of the Honourable Brian Kenny, New Brunswick Minister of Environment and Local Government, and Aldéo Saulnier, Mayor of the Town of Bouctouche.

The project in Bouctouche involves reconstructing the Rotary Park pumping station. Work also includes refinishing the interior and exterior of the water reservoir and adding a water delivery line to McLaughlin Street. These upgrades will increase the reliability of Bouctouche's wastewater collection and water distribution system, and help ensure residents have access to an adequate supply of quality drinking water.

In Saint-Antoine, the project involves improving sanitary and storm sewer systems on Gérard Street and adjacent roads, as well as upgrading Renaud lagoon's aeration system. Once completed, the project will make the Renaud wastewater treatment systems more efficient, reduce sanitary sewer overflows, and improve the reliability of the wastewater collection and treatment process.

The projects announced today are among 39 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:

Bouctouche:

• For the Bouctouche project, the Government of Canada will contribute up to one third of the total eligible project costs of $3,434,890, to a maximum of $1,144,963, 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 $1,144,963.
• The Town of Bouctouche will be responsible for the remaining project costs.

Saint-Antoine:

• For the Saint-Antoine project, the Government of Canada will contribute up to one third of the total eligible project costs of $2,099,860, to a maximum of $699,953, 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 $699,953.
• The Village of Saint-Antoine will be responsible for the remaining project costs.

Small Communities Fund in New Brunswick

• 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."

Senator Rose-May Poirier, 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

"I'm very pleased that our government is joining our federal and municipal counterparts in supporting these two important projects that will improve water and wastewater services for the residents of Bouctouche and Saint-Antoine. This partnership will support the sustainability of these communities and provide jobs."

Benoît Bourque, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Kent South, on behalf of the Honourable Brian Kenny, New Brunswick Minister of Environment and Local Government

"This is an important investment in our future. This is a big project that will support local jobs, protect our environment and ensure our ability to continue to provide quality infrastructure and services to the community."

Aldéo Saulnier, Mayor of the Town of Bouctouche

"Our goal is to provide reliable, quality services and infrastructure to the community. These improvements will go a long way to helping Saint-Antoine prepare for extreme weather events that challenge our current storm sewer system."

Roseline Maillet, Mayor of the Village of Saint-Antoine

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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