Municipality of Neebing Residents Benefit from Local Bridge Improvements

For immediate release — April 25, 2005

Governments partner to make infrastructure investment

THUNDER BAY — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the Municipality of Neebing today announced funding to replace one bridge and three culverts.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $55,693 in the project. The Municipality of Neebing will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $167,080. 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. The Municipality of Neebing will replace the Blake Hall Road Bridge and the Scoble Line Road, Cloud Bay Road and Oleshuk Road culverts.

"These infrastructure upgrades will help ensure the safe transit of people and products in the Municipality of Neebing," said Ken Boshcoff, MP for Thunder Bay–Rainy River. "I am pleased to announce these improvements, which will contribute to community sustainability in Neebing." 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. Boshcoff.

"Our government understands that the strength of the province depends on the strength of all communities in Ontario," said Bill Mauro, MPP for Thunder Bay–Atikokan. "Today's investment to upgrade one bridge and three culverts in Neebing shows our commitment to bring real, positive change that will make Ontario strong, healthy and prosperous for future generations."

"We thank the federal and provincial governments for working with us to implement these bridge and culvert improvements," said Steven Harasen, Mayor of the Municipality of Neebing.

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:

Steven Harasen
Mayor of the Municipality of Neebing
807-474-5331

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

Sam Boonstra
Industry Canada
416-952-0468

Project Reference Number: 11763