Minister MacKay Announces First Nova Scotia Projects to Receive Funding Under the Small Communities Fund

TRENTON, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwired - June 12, 2015) - Infrastructure Canada

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Regional Minister for Nova Scotia, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, 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 $3,139,925 in federal funding for three wastewater projects and one drinking water improvement project in Nova Scotia through the Small Communities Fund. Minister MacKay was joined by the Honourable Michel Samson, Minister of Energy, Minister of Communications Nova Scotia, and Minister of Acadian Affairs, and municipal representatives from the Town of Trenton, the Town of Stellarton, the Municipality of the County of Richmond, and the Municipality of the District of Guysborough.

These projects will help Nova Scotia communities improve their water and wastewater infrastructure, thus improve the quality of life for families in those municipalities. When completed, the systems will better meet the needs of their residents today and into the future.

The projects announced today are among 16 projects recently approved for more than $22 million in joint funding under the Small Communities Fund in Nova Scotia. These projects represent important investments in the drinking water and wastewater infrastructure that maintains 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 Nova Scotia will each provide $42,649,416 to support projects in Nova Scotia 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:

• Each of the four projects announced today will be cost-shared by the three governments on a one-third basis.
• For the 16 projects altogether, the Government of Canada is providing up to one third of the total eligible costs to a maximum federal contribution of $7,542,215.
• The Province of Nova Scotia will contribute up to $7,542,215 to these projects.
• Nova Scotia communities will be responsible for the remaining costs of the 16 projects.

Quotes:

"Ensuring that Canadians in communities across Nova Scotia and across the country have an improved quality of life is important for our Government. We understand 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. Today's announcement is great news for this region but also for the province and is an illustration of the great projects that can be accomplished when we collaborate and work together on behalf of all citizens. Through the Small Communities Fund of the New Building Canada Fund, our Government will continue to support economic growth from coast to coast to coast while ensuring that Canadian communities remain among the best in the world to live."

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Regional Minister for Nova Scotia, and Member of Parliament for Central Nova,

"We recognize the financial costs that municipalities are faced with in providing and maintaining quality infrastructure for their citizens. We will continue to work with our federal and municipal colleagues to ensure improvements to key infrastructure, such as water and wastewater systems, are completed in a timely manner, helping us build stronger communities across Nova Scotia."

The Honourable Michel Samson, Nova Scotia Minister of Energy, Minister of Communications Nova Scotia, and Minister of Acadian Affairs

"The Town of Trenton is very pleased that the federal and provincial levels of government continue to support their municipal colleagues as we work toward providing services to our residents in the most economical and environmental manner. This project will contribute to economic growth, a clean environment and stronger community by reducing instances of flooding and combined sewer overflows during severe weather events and reduce over -capacity events at the East River Environmental Control (ERECC) plant."

Glen MacKinnon, Mayor of Trenton

"Today's funding commitment for our water and sewer systems is welcome news for the Town of Stellarton. It will allow us to make the necessary upgrades and improvements that will benefit our residents and the community. This funding support from the federal and provincial governments makes it possible for us to carry out important infrastructure work."

Joe Gennoe, Mayor of Stellarton

"We are pleased that the federal and provincial governments see the benefits of this project. It will bring much needed, fully-functioning and maintained septic systems to areas of high need. This will assist in protecting the environment and the water sources of our residents in areas in which approximately 80 per cent of existing septic systems are deemed to be failing or inadequate."

Victor David, Warden of the Municipality of the County of Richmond

"The Municipality of the District of Guysborough is extremely pleased to partner with the Province of Nova Scotia and the Government of Canada to help improve infrastructure in our municipality. These funds will allow us to upgrade our sewer treatment systems in the Shiretown of Guysborough and to increase our capacity to help cater to additional homes and businesses."

Vernon Pitts, Warden of the Municipality of the District of Guysborough

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

Backgrounder

The governments of Canada and Nova Scotia announced funding for the following four drinking water and wastewater projects in Nova Scotia under the New Building Canada Plan's Small Communities Fund.

Town of Stellarton

• The project will upgrade the water and sewer system on Acadia Avenue. Work will replace approximately 1337 metres of water line and install 1270 metres of sanitary sewer. This project will decrease the flow of storm water into the sanitary sewer system, thus reducing the burden on the wastewater treatment plant as well as overflow incidents.
• The Government of Canada will contribute up to one third of the total eligible project costs of $2,436,950, to a maximum of $812,317.

Town of Trenton

• The project will separate a combined storm and wastewater sewer line. Work also includes the re-routing of a storm sewer to the East River outfall, the installation of 700 metres of storm sewer lines and 220 metres of sanitary sewer lines. This project 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.
• The Government of Canada will contribute up to one third of the total eligible project costs of $1,828,960, to a maximum of $609,653.

Municipality of the County of Richmond

• This project involves providing wastewater treatment for homes experiencing failing septic systems in the West Arichat and D'Escousse/Rock Bay districts. Wastewater will be treated using several small cluster systems. This project will decrease the flow of storm water into the sanitary sewer system, reduce overflow incidents and improve protection against property damage from flooding.
• The Government of Canada will contribute up to one third of the total eligible project costs of $3,601,047, to a maximum of $1,200,349.

Municipality of the County of Guysborough

• The project involves the expansion of the capacity at two wastewater treatment facilities that serve 255 residents. The project will also include the extension of the wastewater collection system along Old Riverside Road by 400 metres. Once completed, the project will increase the efficiency of water treatment systems, reduce overflow incidents and improve protection against property damage from flooding.
• The Government of Canada will contribute up to one third of the total eligible project costs of $1,552,819, to a maximum of $517,606.