Better drinking water infrastructure for Regional Municipality of Halton residents

19 new projects approved in 5 communities

OAKVILLE, ON, May 25, 2017 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Ontario are committed to investing in local infrastructure that ensures Canadians and their families have access to modern, reliable water and wastewater services that meet their needs. These investments safeguard the health and well-being of residents, protect waterways and preserve local ecosystems, while also laying the foundation for new economic opportunities to strengthen the middle class across the province.

The Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of Democratic Institutions and Member of Parliament for Burlington, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Eleanor McMahon, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and Member of Provincial Parliament for Burlington, on behalf of the Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure; and Gary Carr, Regional Chair of the Halton Region; today announced that a vital new drinking water project for the Region of Halton has been approved under the Government of Canada's Clean Water and Waste Water Fund. The federal government is providing up to 50 per cent of funding for this project—over $26.5 million. The provincial government is providing up to 25 per cent of funding for this project—just over $13.2 million of total eligible costs, and the Regional Municipality of Halton will provide the balance of funding.

Thanks to this investment, the Burloak Water Purification Plant will have a second, large feedermain to supply it with vital water from the Washburn Reservoir and Booster Station. As well, smaller distribution watermains will be part of this project. This investment is essential to ensuring residents have a dependable source of clean drinking water, and to keeping our communities healthy and livable.

In addition to this project, over $5.1 million in federal funding for 18 water and wastewater projects will benefit four other nearby communities in Ontario.

This investment is part of an agreement between Canada and Ontario for the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund.

Quotes

"Investing in water and wastewater treatment infrastructure is essential to maintaining a healthy environment and providing access to clean, reliable drinking water. The Government of Canada is working with provinces, territories and municipalities across the country to support important projects—like those being announced today for Burlington, Halton Hills, Oakville and Milton—which help to ensure that Canadian communities are healthy and sustainable now and for years to come."

The Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of Democratic Institutions and Member of Parliament for Burlington, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Ensuring safety and improving the quality of drinking water for people in Halton Region is of paramount importance. Our government recognizes this and is taking action by working with our federal and municipal partners to modernize and upgrade essential infrastructure, including the projects announced today."

The Honourable Eleanor McMahon, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and Member of Provincial Parliament for Burlington

"Halton Region is committed to the important responsibility of providing safe, clean drinking water to our residents. Halton has been advocating to the federal and provincial government for infrastructure funding, to support growth and maintain the high quality of service delivery for Halton's community, and I am pleased with the investment being made in our community today. Together we will continue to ensure that Halton remains a great place to live."

Gary Carr, Chair of the Regional Municipality of Halton

Quick facts

• The Government of Canada will provide more than $180 billion in infrastructure funding over 12 years for public transit, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, transportation that supports trade, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
• Budget 2017 proposes $21.9 billion for investments for green infrastructure. This amount includes $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
• The Government of Ontario is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, public transit, roads and bridges, and water and wastewater infrastructure in the province's history – more than $190 billion in public infrastructure over 13 years, starting in 2014–15. To learn more about what's happening in your community, go to Ontario.ca/BuildON.

Related products

Backgrounder: Canada and Ontario announce funding for clean water and wastewater infrastructure projects across Ontario.

Associated links

Government of Canada's $180-billion+ infrastructure plan in Budget 2017

Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario

The Clean Water and Wastewater Fund

Build ON 2017 Infrastructure Update

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

For further information: Brook Simpson, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-219-0149, [e-mail]; Craig MacBride, Media Contact, Government of Ontario, 416-212-0453, [e-mail]; Katherine Wood, Communications Specialist, 905-825-6000, ext. 2917, [e-mail]; Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [e-mail], Twitter: @INFC_eng, Web: Infrastructure Canada

Related Links

http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/