Municipality of Port Hope and Township of Alnwick/Haldimand to Improve Wastewater and Bridge Infrastructure

For immediate release — April 21, 2006

Canada and Ontario invest in infrastructure renewal

PORT HOPE — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and municipal leaders today announced funding under Intake Two of the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) to build strong and sustainable communities.

"It is by working together that results are achieved," said Rick Norlock, MP for Northumberland–Quinte West. "Canada's new government is pleased to support these wastewater and bridge improvements, because they mean not only better service to the region, but also jobs and investment."

"Rural Ontario is a priority for the McGuinty government, and we are pleased to make infrastructure upgrades in rural communities such as the Municipality of Port Hope and the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand," said Lou Rinaldi, MPP for Northumberland. "It's part of our government's plan to strengthen our province by strengthening our infrastructure — and we are making progress on that plan."

The Government of Canada's contributions are contingent on the successful completion of an environmental assessment of the proposed projects under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $4,930,413 to upgrade the Port Hope Water Pollution Control Plant. The Municipality of Port Hope will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $14,791,240. Work will involve constructing a septage-receiving facility, updating the headworks, secondary treatment trains, aerobic treatment tanks, effluent pumping station, and providing adequate biosolids management facilities.

"This project uses new design approaches, energy efficient equipment and advanced technologies, which will help our municipality achieve its environmental objectives," said Rick Austin, Mayor of the Municipality of Port Hope.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $189,167 to replace Benlock Bridge. The Township of Alnwick/Haldimand will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $567,500. The project will include replacing the existing structure, which is currently under load restrictions, with a new bridge over Shelter Valley Creek. The new structure will provide full highway loading with a width and railing that meet the current Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code.

"These improvements will benefit all users of Benlock Bridge, and will ensure school buses, emergency vehicles and large trucks continue to cross the structure safely," said William Finley, Mayor of the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand.

Under COMRIF, the governments of Canada and Ontario are working together with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and local partners to improve public infrastructure and quality of life for local residents in small urban and rural communities.

Intake Two builds on the successful first intake of the COMRIF initiative. As a result of funding provided by the governments of Canada and Ontario under the first and second intakes, infrastructure improvements are being made through 208 projects to make Ontario's communities stronger, healthier and safer.

COMRIF is a five-year, $900-million initiative that responds to local needs through infrastructure upgrades to provide clean, safe drinking water, better sewage systems, improved waste management processes, safer local roads and bridges, as well as other health and safety priorities. Green infrastructure is COMRIF's top priority, with 55 per cent of funding for projects involving water quality, sustainable communities, climate change and innovation.

COMRIF Intake Three will be launched in spring 2006 through a public announcement and direct contact with eligible municipalities. All Ontario municipalities of fewer than 250,000 people are eligible to apply to COMRIF to improve their local infrastructure.

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

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Contacts:

Rick Austin
Mayor of the Municipality of Port Hope
905-885-4544

William Finley
Mayor of the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand
905-349-2822

Dave McLeod,
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
519-826-3198

Sam Boonstra
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