Government of Canada Supports Important Water Infrastructure Upgrades in Eel River Crossing and Balmoral Through the Small Communities Fund

EEL RIVER CROSSING, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwired - June 30, 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 $99,981 in federal funding for drinking water system upgrades in Eel River Crossing, and $336,223 for storm sewer upgrades in Balmoral. Minister Valcourt was joined by Gilles LePage, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Restigouche West, Denis Savoie, Mayor of Eel River Crossing, and Charles Bernard, Mayor of Balmoral.

The Eel River Crossing project involves upgrades to the municipal water treatment facilities. Work includes the installation of two ultra-violet treatment reactors and a new electrical panel. By improving the decontamination process, this project will provide residents with better access to high-quality drinking water.

In Balmoral, the funding will be used to replace deteriorated wooden culverts along Avenue Des Pionniers with a new storm sewer system. Once completed, the project will improve the efficiency of the area's storm water management, as well as help protect local infrastructure against severe storm events, such as post-tropical storm Arthur in 2014.

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:

Eel River Crossing:

• For the Eel River Crossing project, the Government of Canada will contribute up to one third of the total eligible project costs of $299,945, to a maximum of $99,981, 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 $99,981.
• The Village of Eel River Crossing will be responsible for the remaining project costs.

Balmoral:

• For the Balmoral project, the Government of Canada will contribute up to one third of the total eligible project costs of $1,008,670, to a maximum of $336,223, 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 $336,223.
• The Village of Balmoral will be responsible for the remaining project costs.

Small Communities Fund in New Brunswick

• 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 stronger communities through improvements to Eel River Crossing's drinking water system and with upgrades to the Balmoral storm water system. We are proud of the partnership we have with Ottawa and the municipalities to deliver new infrastructure and jobs to these vibrant communities."

Gilles LePage, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Restigouche West

"We're pleased to work with the different levels of government to improve our infrastructure in a sustainable manner that considers both our current and future needs. These important improvements will have a lasting and positive impact on our community."

Denis Savoie, Mayor of Eel River Crossing

"We're pleased to be working with our partners to make strategic investments in our storm water infrastructure. These upgrades are necessary to ensure our community is well positioned with the necessary infrastructure to face storm events such as Arthur in 2014 in order to protect our residents and our existing infrastructure."

Charles Bernard, Mayor of Balmoral

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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