Town of Huntsville Residents Benefit from Local Road Improvements

For immediate release — April 25, 2005

Governments partner to make infrastructure investment

HUNTSVILLE — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the Town of Huntsville today announced funding to reconstruct Florence Street.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $325,125 in the project. The Town of Huntsville will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $975,375. 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 renewed road infrastructure and improved quality of life for local residents. The Town of Huntsville will undertake the urban core renewal of Florence Street by reconstructing and widening the roadway and adding curbs, gutters, storm sewers, subdrains and sidewalks.

"The renewal of Florence Street will enable the Town of Huntsville to better meet local business and safety demands," said Andy Mitchell, MP for Parry Sound-Muskoka. "Roads facilitate needed economic activity which is integral to our Northern communities." 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. Mitchell.

"Our government understands that the strength of the province depends on the strength of our communities," said John Gerretsen, Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. "Today's investment to upgrade Florence Street shows our commitment to bring real, positive change that will make Ontario strong, healthy and prosperous."

"Our residents will benefit from this infrastructure investment, which will help us to address local expansion," said Hugh Mackenzie, Mayor of the Town of Huntsville.

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.

- 30 -

Contacts:

Hugh Mackenzie
Mayor of the Town of Huntsville
705-789-1751

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

Sam Boonstra
Industry Canada
416-952-0468

Project Reference Number: 11387