County of Brant Residents Benefit from Local Bridge Improvements

For immediate release — April 25, 2005

Governments partner to make infrastructure investment

MOUNT VERNON – The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the County of Brant today announced funding to rehabilitate the Fairchild Creek Bridge.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $366,667 in the project. The County of Brant will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $1,100,000. 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.

This investment, made under the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF), will provide a safer bridge and improved quality of life for local residents. The rehabilitation of the Fairchild Creek Bridge includes repaving and waterproofing the asphalt, repairing or replacing the concrete, reconstructing the barriers and railings, and repairing the transverse floor beams and supports.

"The federal government is committed to ensuring our communities have the necessary infrastructure in place to remain sustainable," said Lloyd St. Amand, MP for Brant. "This project will rehabilitate a key bridge structure in the County, which will facilitate improved access for area residents." 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. St. Amand.

"Our government understands that the strength of the province depends on the strength of our communities," said Dave Levac, MPP for Brant. "Today's investment to upgrade the Fairchild Creek Bridge shows our commitment to bring real, positive change that will make Ontario strong, healthy and prosperous for future generations."

"This is a significant investment in our community's public safety," said Ron Eddy, Mayor of the County of Brant.

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:

Ron Eddy
Mayor of the County of Brant
519-449-2451

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

Sam Boonstra
Industry Canada
416-952-0468

Project Reference Number: 11888