Townships of McGarry, Harley and Casey Residents Benefit from Improvements to Local Infrastructure

For immediate release — April 25, 2005

Governments partner to make infrastructure investments

VIRGINIATOWN — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and municipal leaders in McGarry, Harley and Casey today announced funding for wastewater and road infrastructure.

"I am pleased to announce several important investments that will improve local municipal infrastructure," said Joe Comuzzi, Minister of State (Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario) and Minister responsible for the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund. "Through the New Deal for Cities and Communities, the Government of Canada is providing municipalities stable, long-term and predictable sources of funding to meet their infrastructure needs. 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 Minister of State Comuzzi.

"We are pleased to join with our federal and municipal partners to improve essential infrastructure in McGarry, Harley and Casey, as our government believes that every Ontario community should have better sewage systems and safe road infrastructure," said David Ramsay, Ontario Minister of Natural Resources and MPP for Timiskaming–Cochrane. "These projects are examples of our government's commitment to building strong communities – one of the ways we are delivering real, positive change that will make northern and rural Ontario strong, healthy and prosperous."

These investments, made under the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF), will improve the quality of life for local residents.

The Government of Canada's contributions are contingent on the successful completion of environmental assessments of the proposed projects under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $2,754,540 to construct a sewage treatment plant and upgrade the sewage collection system in the hamlets of Virginiatown and Kearns. The Township of McGarry will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $6,121,200. Work includes constructing a sewage treatment facility, two pumping stations and installing forcemains. As well, standby power will be provided and the collection systems in both hamlets will be replaced.

"This is great news, and we look forward to making these improvements to our wastewater system, which will benefit the residents of Virginiatown and Kearns," said Clermont Lapointe, Reeve of the Township of McGarry.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will also each invest up to $86,313 to rehabilitate Development Road West. The Township of Harley will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $258,940. Work includes removing the top base, excavating and repairing the road, and applying surface treatment.

"Renewal of the road will provide improved safety and efficiency for our residents and we are delighted that the federal and provincial governments are partnering with us to make this project a reality," said Gerald Roy, Reeve of the Township of Harley.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $16,133 to improve Notre Dame Street in Belle-Vallee. The Township of Casey will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $48,400. Work includes excavating, providing a limestone base and proper drainage, and applying a double application of surface treatment.

"This project is important to the local residents of Belle-Vallee because the road improvements will increase traffic efficiency and provide a safe all-weather surface," said Guy Labonte, Reeve of the Township of Casey.

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:

Clermont Lapointe
Reeve of the Township of McGarry
705-634-2145

Gerald Roy
Reeve of the Township of Harley
705-647-5439

Guy Labonte
Reeve of the Township of Casey
705-647-5439

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

Sam Boonstra
Industry Canada
416-952-0468