County of Simcoe to Improve Local Bridges

For immediate release — April 21, 2006

Canada and Ontario invest in infrastructure renewal

MIDHURST — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the County of Simcoe today announced funding under Intake Two of the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) to reconstruct four Simcoe County priority bridges.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $1,112,365 in the project. The County of Simcoe will contribute the balance of the total eligible project costs of up to $3,337,097. 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.

The county will reconstruct Montgomery Bridge on County Road 9, Head River Bridge on the Kawartha Lakes/Simcoe County boundary road, Draper Bridge on County Road 27, and Bridge 27135 on County Road 27.

"Canada's new government supports working with the province of Ontario and our local municipal counterparts to get things done. There is a need to reconstruct these Simcoe County bridges, and we are proud to step up and help," said Tony Clement, Federal Minister of Health and Federal Minister responsible for COMRIF. "By investing in these projects, we are investing in the individuals and families that live here."

"Improving our roads and bridges is a key part of our rural plan," said Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "Today's announcement shows the McGuinty government is strengthening our rural communities and providing opportunities for our greatest asset — our people."

"Funding for improvements to these four bridges is great news for the residents and businesses in our community who use these routes every day, and I am very thankful for the investments from the federal and provincial governments," said Terry Gedes, Warden of the County of Simcoe.

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:

Terry Gedes
Warden of the County of Simcoe
705-726-9300

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

Project Reference Number:  13949