City of Belleville and Township of Tyendinaga Residents Benefit from Improvements to Local Infrastructure

For immediate release — April 25, 2005

Governments partner to make infrastructure investments

BELLEVILLE – The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and municipal leaders in Belleville and Tyendinaga today announced funding to improve local wastewater and bridge infrastructure.

"These investments will permit the municipalities to go forward with important health and safety projects," said the Honourable Mauril Bélanger, Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons. "The federal government is pleased to support these infrastructure projects through the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF)." 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 Minister Bélanger.

"Safe, reliable infrastructure is essential to the quality of life in every community," said Ernie Parsons, MPP for Prince Edward–Hastings. "With projects like these, we are helping the City of Belleville and Township of Tyendinaga meet their highest priority infrastructure needs."

These investments, made under (COMRIF), will improve the quality of life for local residents.

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

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $644,167 to upgrade the Belleville Water Pollution Control Plant and Pumping Station. The City of Belleville will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $1,932,500. Improvements will include enhancements to the plant's treatment capacity, upgrades to the pumping and treatment facilities, and elimination of extraneous water flow to the sanitary sewer system.

"This is a very important project for Belleville as it will improve efficiency in the treatment system and have a positive effect on our waterfront area," said Mary-Anne Sills, Mayor of the City of Belleville.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $278,000 to replace Murphy's Bridge on Melrose Road in Shannonville. The Township of Tyendinaga will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $834,000. The new bridge will correct the alignment with the road, provide for full highway loading, expand the width to two lanes, and provide steel beam guiderails on the approaches.

"We are very pleased to receive this investment and look forward to replacing Murphy's bridge with a structure that will improve traffic safety for our residents," said Margaret Walsh, Reeve of the Township of Tyendinaga.

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 cleaner 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.

- 30 -

Contacts:

Mary-Anne Sills
Mayor of the City of Belleville
613-967-3267

Margaret Walsh
Reeve of the Township of Tyendinaga
613-396-1944

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

Sam Boonstra
Industry Canada
416-952-0468