Municipality of Huron Shores Residents Benefit from Local Bridge Improvements

For immediate release — April 25, 2005

Governments partner to make infrastructure investment

IRON BRIDGE — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the Municipality of Huron Shores today announced funding to rehabilitate the Dean Lake Bridge.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $205,608 in the project. The Municipality of Huron Shores will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $616,823. 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 safer road infrastructure and improved quality of life for local residents. Work on the bridge will include replacing the remaining wood deck and corroded I-beam stringers, as well painting the structure.

"The federal government is pleased to support the rehabilitation of this historical landmark in Huron Shores," said Brent St. Denis, MP for Algoma–Manitoulin–Kapuskasing. "These upgrades will ensure the safe passage of local residents and vehicles." 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. Denis.

"Improvements to Huron Shores' Dean Lake Bridge are an example of our government's commitment to upgrading essential infrastructure - an important part of Ontario's plan for rural and northern communities," said Mike Brown, MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin. "This project shows how we are working to renew Ontario's infrastructure to improve public services and provide a high quality of life for all Ontarians."

"These improvements will encourage long-term economic growth in our community and will provide permanent access to and from the area year round," said E.W. Linley, Mayor of the Municipality of Huron Shores.

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:

E.W. Linley
Mayor of the Municipality of Huron Shores
705-843-2033

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

Sam Boonstra
Industry Canada
416-952-0468

Project Reference Number: 11718