Municipality of Lambton Shores Residents Benefit from Improvements to the Local Water Distribution System

For immediate release — April 25, 2005

Governments partner to make infrastructure investment

FOREST — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the Municipality of Lambton Shores today announced funding to improve the local water distribution system.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $5,616,600 in the project. The Municipality of Lambton Shores will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $16,849,800. 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 cleaner water and improved quality of life for local residents. The Municipality of Lambton Shores will construct a rural water distribution system to service the farming community in the former Town of Bosanquet. This project includes connecting to the Lake Huron Primary Water Supply System, constructing a booster pumping station, and installing 164 kilometres of watermain and 500 service connections.

"I am pleased to announce this significant Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund investment to construct a new distribution system in the Municipality of Lambton Shores," said Rose-Marie Ur, MP for Lambton–Kent–Middlesex. "The federal government is pleased to partner with the Government of Ontario to provide access to a safer water source 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 Ms. Ur.

"Upgrading essential infrastructure is important to our rural communities, and an important part of Ontario's rural plan," said Maria Van Bommel, MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex. "Our government believes that every person should have access to safe, clean drinking water because we recognize that our greatest strength is our people - and our people's health is vital to the future success of our province."

"The construction of a new pumping station and this extensive network of watermains will successfully address the Municipality of Lambton Shores water supply and quality issues," said Cam Ivey, Mayor of the Municipality of Lambton 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.

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Contacts:

Cam Ivey
Mayor of the Municipality of Lambton Shores
519-786-2335

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

Sam Boonstra
Industry Canada
416-952-0468

Project Reference Number: 11807