Township of Champlain and United Counties of Prescott and Russell Residents Benefit from Improvements to Local Infrastructure

For immediate release — April 25, 2005

Governments partner to make infrastructure investments

VANKLEEK HILL — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and municipal leaders in Champlain, and Prescott and Russell today announced funding to improve wastewater and bridge infrastructure.

"Through the New Deal for Cities and Communities, the federal government is improving core infrastructure so communities can grow and thrive," said the Honourable Mauril Bélanger, Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons. "Today's announcement is just one example of the important strides we are making to ensure these goals are met."

"This initiative targets rural communities to ensure that municipalities such as Champlain, and Prescott and Russell remain great places in which to live," said the Honourable Don Boudria, P.C., MP for Glengarry–Prescott–Russell. "On behalf of the federal government, I am pleased to announce funding for these essential infrastructure projects." 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. Boudria.

"Safe, reliable infrastructure is essential to the quality of life in every community," said Jean-Marc Lalonde, MPP for Glengarry–Prescott–Russell. "With projects like these, we are helping rural communities meet their highest priority infrastructure needs. The Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) is part of our plan to restore rural communities."

"Our government is committed to renewing essential infrastructure in our rural and small urban communities," said the Honourable John Gerretsen, Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. "Upgrading wastewater and bridge infrastructure is an example of how we are improving local safety and building stronger communities across Ontario."

These investments, made under COMRIF, will improve local infrastructure and 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 $2,793,385 to replace the L'Orignal Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Township of Champlain will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $8,380,155. The new plant will be located on the same site as the existing one and will include a lab for monitoring and testing, a pumping station, a digestion facility, and a septage receiving station.

"This project will modernize our wastewater system and bring it into compliance with environmental regulations," said Gary Barton, Mayor of the Township of Champlain.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $447,231 to rehabilitate the J. Henri Séguin Bridge on County Road 9. The United Counties of Prescott and Russell will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $1,341,692. Work will include constructing a new deck with hydrophobic concrete, strengthening floor beams, installing steel beam guiderails, improving approaches, and stabilizing the embankments.

"Rehabilitating the J. Henri Séguin Bridge is long overdue and will benefit our community and local industries," said Denis Pommainville, Warden of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell.

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:

Gary Barton
Mayor of the Township of Champlain
613-678-3003

Denis Pommainville
Warden of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell
613-241-7335

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

Sam Boonstra
Industry Canada
416-952-0468