Canada and Ontario Invest Over $249 million in Municipal Rural Infrastructure

For immediate release — April 25, 2005

Ontario residents to benefit from improvements to local communities

NORTH BAY — Delivering on their commitment to build strong, sustainable communities, the governments of Canada and Ontario today announced investments of up to $249,178,024 in 120 communities through Intake One of the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF).

Together with municipal contributions, the total investment in local infrastructure improvements will be over $370 million. The investments announced today will provide municipalities with the support they need to renew essential infrastructure in their communities.

Local announcements with specific project details are being made across the province. A listing of funded projects is available in the attached backgrounder.

These investments cover the full range of COMRIF Intake One priorities, including improvements to provide clean, safe drinking water, better sewage systems, improved waste management processes, and safer roads and bridges. There are two additional application intakes planned under COMRIF.

"Through these investments in sustainable public infrastructure, the Government of Canada is making real progress on the New Deal for Cities and Communities in Ontario," said Joe Comuzzi, Minister of State (Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario) and federal Minister responsible for COMRIF. "By working collaboratively with our municipal and provincial partners to make these investments, we are improving the overall quality of life for Canadians across Ontario."

"This news will make a real difference to our small urban and rural communities," said John Gerretsen, Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. "Ontarians in 120 communities will directly benefit from these essential infrastructure upgrades - part of our government's plan to build healthy, strong communities."

"COMRIF is an important trilateral partnership for Canada, Ontario and municipalities in this province. It demonstrates that investment in municipal infrastructure is a shared responsibility that creates tangible economic and environmental benefits locally, provincially and nationally," said Roger Anderson, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

Under COMRIF, the governments of Canada and Ontario are working together with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and local governments 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.

The Governments of Canada and Ontario are each contributing up to $298 million to COMRIF. With municipal investments, this program is expected to stimulate up to $900 million in capital investments over five years.

"The New Deal for Cities and Communities recognizes that municipalities require stable, long-term and predictable funding for infrastructure," said John Godfrey, Minister of State (Infrastructure and Communities). "Through initiatives such as COMRIF, the Government of Canada is working with our partners to support the growth of sustainable communities across the country - this is part of the New Deal for Cities and Communities." The Government of Canada's funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget and complements other initiatives such as the five-year gas tax transfer of $1.865 billion to Ontario municipalities, added Minister of State Godfrey.

"The announcement today is great news for communities across Ontario, and together we are making sure that the renewal of public infrastructure takes place," said David Caplan, Ontario Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal. "There's a pressing need now and in future for the kind of collaborative funding solutions that programs such as COMRIF provide."

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. Eligible municipalities can submit one application per intake, and may decide to re-submit a project that was not funded under Intake One.

For further information on the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, please visit www.comrif.ca or contact the COMRIF Joint Secretariat at 1-866-306-7827.

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Media contacts:

Graeme Wilkes
Office of the Minister of State (FedNor)
613-947-5850

Patti Munce
Office of the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
416-585-6333

Carla Ventin
Office of the Minister of State (Infrastructure and Communities)
613-948-2688

Wilson Lee
Office of the Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal
416-325-8735