Township of Russell to Upgrade Local Water System

For immediate release — January 10, 2007

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

EMBRUN — 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 upgrade the water distribution system in the Township of Russell.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $4,474,251 in the local water project. The Township of Russell will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $13,422,753. 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 working together with other orders of government to ensure that communities have safe and reliable infrastructure in place," said Pierre Lemieux, MP for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, on behalf of Tony Clement, Minister of Health and federal minister responsible for COMRIF. "With this investment, residents of the Township of Russell can have peace of mind that they will have quality drinking water every time they turn on their taps."

"Renewing essential infrastructure is important to Ontario's small urban and rural communities," said Jean-Marc Lalonde, MPP for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell. "By upgrading the water distribution system in the Township of Russell, the McGuinty government is protecting the quality of life and economic prosperity of rural Ontarians."

"This project is a priority for our community, and we look forward to working with our federal and provincial partners to bring these upgrades to completion," said Ken Hill, Mayor of the Township of Russell.

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:

Ken Hill
Mayor of the Township of Russell
613-443-3066

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: 15099