Municipality of McDougall to Improve Local Bridge

For immediate release — January 10, 2007

Canada's New Government and the Government of Ontario invest in infrastructure renewal

PARRY SOUND — Canada's New Government and the Government of Ontario today announced funding under Intake Three of the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) to replace the Burnside Bridge in the Municipality of McDougall.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $315,667 in the local bridge project. The Municipality of McDougall will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $947,000. The Government of Canada's contribution is contingent on the successful completion of an environmental assessment of the proposed project under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

"Canada's New Government is getting things done for families in the municipality of McDougall," said Tony Clement, Minister of Health, federal minister responsible for COMRIF and MP for Parry Sound-Muskoka. "Through our investment, we are supporting the infrastructure of this municipality. Replacing the Burnside Bridge will ensure a reliable and safe route within the community."

"Renewing essential infrastructure is important to Ontario's small urban and rural communities," said Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "By replacing the Burnside Bridge in the Municipality of McDougall, the McGuinty government is demonstrating its commitment to rural Ontario."

"I am delighted that our community has been awarded funding for this high-priority bridge project," said Dale Robinson, Mayor of the Municipality of McDougall.

This project is part of a total federal-provincial investment announced today of $93 million in 72 communities under Intake Three of COMRIF. Together with municipal contributions, the total COMRIF Intake Three investment in local infrastructure improvements exceeds $139 million. These investments will provide small urban and rural municipalities with the support they need to renew essential infrastructure in their communities.

Under the five-year, $900-million COMRIF program, the governments of Canada and Ontario are working together with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and local partners to enhance and renew Ontario's public infrastructure, improve the quality of the environment, protect the health and safety of citizens, support long-term economic growth and build prosperous, sustainable communities by giving municipalities the tools they need. This also includes the recently launched Asset Management Program component, which helps eligible municipalities and Local Services Boards improve and increase their capacity to manage their infrastructure.

In Budget 2006, Canada's New Government announced an unprecedented $16.5 billion in funding for infrastructure, including $6.6 billion in new investment for infrastructure programs. The Government recognizes the importance of infrastructure in Canada's success. Consultations with a wide range of governments, including Ontario, and stakeholders, including the AMO, took place over the summer and fall of 2006. Canada's New Government is currently developing its long-term plan for infrastructure programs.

For more information on the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, please visit www.comrif.ca.

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Contacts:

Dale Robinson
Mayor of the Municipality of McDougall
705-342-5252

Brent Ross
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
416-326-9342

Linda Hann
Industry Canada
416-952-0468

Chris Flavelle
Senior Communications Advisor
Office of the Honourable Leona Dombrowsky
416-326-3072

Erik Waddell
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
613-957-0200

Project Reference Number: 16656