Government of Canada Supports Important Water System Upgrades in St. George Through the Small Communities Fund

ST. GEORGE, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwired - June 30, 2015) - Infrastructure Canada

John Williamson, Member of Parliament for New Brunswick Southwest, 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 $968,694 in federal funding for water infrastructure upgrades in St. George. MP Williamson was joined by the Honourable Rick Doucet, New Brunswick Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, Minister responsible for Opportunities New Brunswick and Minister responsible for Trade Policy, and Sharon Tucker, Mayor of the Town of St. George.

This project involves installing a new water storage reservoir, two pressure-reducing valves and water distribution lines to tie into the existing drinking water distribution system. Once in place, this new infrastructure will provide residents with better access to high-quality drinking water and expand the Town's available water storage for the industrial park and growing residential areas.

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:

• For the St. George project, the Government of Canada will contribute up to one third of the total eligible project costs of $2,906,082, to a maximum of $968,694, 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 $968,694.
• The Town of St. George 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."

John Williamson, Member of Parliament for New Brunswick Southwest, 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 project supports a stronger community through improvements to the town's drinking water system. We are proud of the partnership we have with Ottawa and the municipality to deliver new infrastructure and jobs to this vibrant community."

Rick Doucet, New Brunswick Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, Minister responsible for Opportunities NB, and Minister responsible for Trade Policy

"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. The new reservoir and its increased water storage capacity will ensure the town is well positioned for sustainable growth."

Sharon Tucker, Mayor of the Town of St. George

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