Official ground-breaking ceremony for upgrades to Shawinigan's drinking water infrastructure

SHAWINIGAN, QC, June 26, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - The governments of Canada and Quebec and the City of Shawinigan are safeguarding public health and helping protect waterways by investing in projects to maintain water systems and ensure their ongoing efficiency. These investments are helping communities meet their increasing capacity needs while creating jobs and growing the regional economy.

Julie Boulet, Quebec Minister of Tourism, Minister Responsible for the Mauricie Region and Member of the National Assembly for Laviolette, Pierre Giguère, Member of the National Assembly for Saint-Maurice, and Michel Angers, Mayor of Shawinigan, participated in the official ground-breaking ceremony marking the continuation of work to upgrade the City's drinking water infrastructure.

This project is receiving more than $48 million in joint financial assistance from the governments of Canada and Quebec under the Major Infrastructure Component of the Building Canada Fund‒Quebec. The City of Shawinigan is investing more than $16 million for a total government and municipal investment of more than $64 million.

Quotes

"We are committed to investing in local infrastructure that ensures Canadians have access to solid, modern water services. The work to upgrade the drinking water facilities in Shawinigan will help protect the environment and keep our communities healthy while promoting economic growth and creating well-paid jobs for the middle class."

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade and Member of Parliament for Saint-Maurice–Champlain, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"The Government of Quebec is working in partnership with municipalities to help them develop and renew their public infrastructure. This investment in water infrastructure will allow the City of Shawinigan to ensure better water management, a healthier environment and improved public services for residents."

Julie Boulet, Quebec Minister of Tourism, Minister Responsible for the Mauricie Region and Member of the National Assembly for Laviolette, on behalf of Martin Coiteux, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, Minister of Public Security and Minister Responsible for the Montréal Region

"The Government of Quebec is proud to support water projects, such as the one starting today, that improve public services at the municipal level. Our support for this project demonstrates our commitment to improving the public infrastructure that is essential to enhancing the quality of life of citizens for years to come. "

Pierre Giguère, Member of the National Assembly for Saint-Maurice

"The citizens of Shawinigan made it clear that they wanted their drinking water to continue to be drawn from Lac des Piles and Lac à la Pêche. In 2014, the provincial government agreed to this request and at this point, we were able to sit down with the federal and provincial governments to determine the right financial package. Today, we are officially breaking ground to make these upgrades a reality."

Michel Angers, Mayor of Shawinigan

Quick Facts

• To meet the requirements of the Quebec Department of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change, the City of Shawinigan is starting the construction of two new water treatment plants this year, one for water drawn from Lac des Piles and the other for water from Lac à la Pêche.
• The project to upgrade the drinking water infrastructure also includes modifying the water supply system to connect the Saint-Georges and Lac-à-la-Tortue sectors to the Lac à la Pêche water supply system. This change is required because the City of Shawinigan should not draw more than 7,500 m³ per day from Lac des Piles. The new system should be operational by September.
• 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 proposed $21.9 billion over 11 years for investments in green infrastructure. This amount includes $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
• Under the 2017‒2027 Quebec Infrastructure Plan, the Quebec Department of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy will invest a total of $15 billion in infrastructure thanks to $7 billion in government financial support.

Related links

For more information on City of Shawinigan's drinking water infrastructure upgrades: www.shawinigan.ca/miseauxnormes.

For more information on the Government of Canada's $180 billion-plus infrastructure plan in Budget 2017: http://www.budget.gc.ca/2017/docs/plan/chap-02-en.html

Federal investments in Quebec infrastructure projects: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/index-eng.html

Major Infrastructure Component of the Building Canada Fund http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/prog/programs-infc-summary-eng.html#bcf-mic

Building Canada Fund‒Quebec:
http://www.mamot.gouv.qc.ca/infrastructures/programmes-daide-financiere/fonds-chantiers-canada-quebec-fccq/

2017‒2027 Quebec Infrastructure Plan: https://www.tresor.gouv.qc.ca/fileadmin/PDF/budget_depenses/17-18/infrastructuresPubliquesQuebec.pdf

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

For further information: Contacts: Brook Simpson, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-219-0149; Marie-Ève Pelletier, Director of Communications and Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, Minister of Public Security and Minister Responsible for the Montreal Region, 418-691-2050; Patrick Soucy, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Tourism and Minister Responsible for the Mauricie Region and MNA for Laviolette, 418-528-8063; François St-Onge, Director, Communications Unit, City of Shawinigan, 819-536-7200; For information: Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, E-mail: infc.media.infc@canada.ca, Twitter: @INFC_eng, Website: Infrastructure Canada; Pierre-Luc Lévesque, Communications Branch, Department of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy and Department of Public Security, 418-691-2015, ext. 3746