Town of Goderich and Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Residents Benefit from Improvements to Local Infrastructure

For immediate release — April 25, 2005

Governments partner to make infrastructure investments

GODERICH — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and municipal leaders in Goderich and Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh today announced funding to upgrade a wastewater system and replace bridge infrastructure.

"The federal government is pleased to be partnering with other levels of government to improve the service reliability of the local sewage collection and treatment system in Goderich, and support a more efficient, safer flow of traffic in Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh," said Paul Steckle, MP for Huron–Bruce. "These important infrastructure investments will benefit Huron County residents and help protect the environment." The Government of Canada's funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework, added Mr. Steckle.

"Upgrades to these infrastructure projects are proof that the Ontario government is standing by its promise to safeguard public health by protecting our water and bridges," said Carol Mitchell, MPP for Huron–Bruce. "We know that Ontario's success depends on building strong communities and a healthy environment in Ontario, and we are proud to participate in a project that will improve the quality of life for residents in Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh and Goderich," added Ms. Mitchell.

These investments, made under the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF), will improve the quality of life for local residents.

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 $1,538,607 to upgrade the sewage collection system and treatment plant. The Town of Goderich will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $4,615,820. The project will provide secondary treatment of all wastewater, improve effluent quality and lower levels of contaminants.

"As a result of this project, bypasses of raw sewage into Lake Huron will be eliminated," said Deb Shewfelt, Mayor of the Town of Goderich.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $171,667 to replace two Kerry's Line bridges. The Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $515,000. Work includes expanding the bridges to accommodate two lanes of traffic and reconstructing the road approaches.

"This project will have a significant effect on the safety of our local transportation network because it will remove the load restriction, which will divert slow moving farm vehicles from the adjacent highway," said Ben VanDiepenbeek, Reeve of the Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh.

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 in small urban and rural communities. The objectives of this initiative are to enhance and renew Ontario's aging public infrastructure, improve the quality of the environment, protect the health and safety of citizens, support long-term economic growth and build strong, sustainable communities by giving municipalities the tools they need.

COMRIF is a five-year, $900-million program that focuses on local needs through infrastructure improvements 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 Two will be launched in the coming weeks through a public announcement and direct contact with eligible municipalities. All Ontario municipalities of less than 250,000 people are eligible to apply to COMRIF to improve their local infrastructure.

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

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Contacts:

Deb Shewfelt
Mayor of the Town of Goderich
519-524-8344

Ben VanDiepenbeek
Reeve of the Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh
519-524-4669

Andrea Kelly
Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
416-585-7066

Sam Boonstra
Industry Canada
416-952-0468