The Governments of Canada and Quebec are supporting two projects to improve water and wastewater systems in the Montréal area

MONTRÉAL, April 18, 2017 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Quebec are safeguarding public health and helping protect the province's waterways by investing in projects to ensure that water and wastewater systems in the province are up to date and efficient and meet communities' increasing capacity needs. These investments will also help create jobs and grow the economy.

The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport and Member of Parliament for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce–Westmount, on behalf of the Honorable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Martin Coiteux, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, Minister of Public Security and Minister Responsible for the Montréal area, announced an investment of nearly $84.4 million for two water projects in the Montréal area under the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF).

This financial support granted to the City of Montréal and the Town of Montréal West will contribute to maintaining, renewing or developing their infrastructure to ensure the production and distribution of quality drinking water for residents or the proper disposal and treatment of wastewater.

The Government of Canada is investing more than $50.8 million for these projects, and the Government of Quebec is providing more than $33.5 million for a total joint contribution of more than $84.4 million. The municipalities will provide the remainder of the funding.

Quotes

"These vital investments in Montréal's water infrastructure reflect the Government of Canada's commitment to ensuring access to sustainable and adequate services for Canadians for years to come. We will continue working in close collaboration with our partners to ensure we make smart infrastructure investments that help protect the environment, clean up the St. Lawrence River and preserve public health, while paving the way for economic growth and for the creation of good-paying middle class jobs."

The Honorable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transportation and Member of Parliament for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce‒Westmount, on behalf of the Honorable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Thanks to the federal-provincial agreement of the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund, the City of Montréal and the Town of Montréal West will be able to complete important projects to meet their needs. The financial support announced today clearly shows how working in partnership is improving the quality of life of our fellow citizens."

Martin Coiteux, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, Minister of Public Security, and Minister Responsible for the Montréal area

"Water has always been a priority for our administration. Expenditures on water infrastructure have increased from $93 million to $261 million per year over three years! But this is not enough to offset the maintenance deficit that has accumulated. That is why, we announced an expansion plan last fall that would triple investments and results over the next ten years. This is a responsible and balanced response to today's water issues. I thank the governments for the urgent action taken. This generous financial support will enable Montréal to reach its target of eliminating its water and wastewater maintenance deficit within ten years."

Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montréal

Quick Facts

• The City of Montréal will receive close to $83 million for the renewal of its water pipes, with $49,987,144 coming from the Government of Canada and $32,991,520 from the Government of Quebec.
• The Town of Montréal-West will benefit from more than $1.4 million in government funding for the renewal of its water pipes, with $869,096 coming from the Government of Canada and $573,604 from the Government of Quebec.
• Thanks to its base financial assistance rate of 83%, the CWWF is allowing municipalities to invest almost $800 million in infrastructure projects. Over the period of 2016 to 2018, the federal government will provide $363.8 million and the provincial government will provide $300 million for a total joint investment of $664 million. The implementation of the CWWF was made possible by the signing of a bilateral agreement between Canada and Quebec in July 2016, which made funding available for water projects across the province.
• This fund is part of the Investing in Canada plan, the Government of Canada's historic plan that provides more than $180 billion in infrastructure funding to improve 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 for green infrastructure. This amount includes $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

Associated Links

Government of Canada's $180-billion+ infrastructure plan in Budget 2017: http://www.budget.gc.ca/2017/docs/plan/chap-02-en.html#Toc477707375

See how investments in the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund are being used in Quebec and across Canada: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/pt-sp/index-eng.html

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

The CWWF financial assistance program: http://www.mamot.gouv.qc.ca/infrastructures/programmes-daide-financiere/fonds-pour-leau-potable-et-le-traitement-des-eaux-usees-fepteu/

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

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 region of Montréal, 418-691-2050; Marc-André Gosselin, Press Secretary, Office of the Mayor of Montréal, 514-872-5628; For more information: Pierre-Luc Lévesque, Communications, Department of Municipal Affairs, Land Occupancy and Public Security, 418-691-2015, Extension 3746; Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1 877 250-7154, Email: [email protected], Twitter: @INFC_eng, Web: Infrastructure Canada

Related Links

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