Municipality of Chatham-Kent to Improve Local Bridges and Culverts

For immediate release — April 21, 2006

Canada and Ontario invest in infrastructure renewal

CHATHAM — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent today announced funding under Intake Two of the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) to upgrade 14 local bridges and culverts.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $1,239,087 in the project. The Municipality of Chatham-Kent will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $3,717,260. 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 project involves the replacement or rehabilitation of the following structures: Raglan, Talbot Trail, Seventh Line, Cundle Line, Eleventh Line, Drake Road, Tenth Line over Slade Drain, Tenth Line over Moody and Early Drain, Eighth Line, Coatsworth Road, Middle Line, Ninth Line and Big Pointe Road.

"Canada's new government supports working with the province of Ontario and municipalities to get things done. There is a need to make these upgrades, and we are proud to step up and help," said Dave Van Kesteren, Member of Parliament for Chatham–Kent–Essex. "By investing in these projects, we are investing in the individuals and families that live here."

"Today's announcement for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent reflects the McGuinty government's commitment to invest in essential infrastructure across Ontario," said Pat Hoy, MPP for Chatham–Kent–Essex. "We are strengthening our rural communities by improving our bridges and culverts."

"These important upgrades will help ensure the safety of pedestrian and vehicular traffic throughout Chatham-Kent," said Diane Gagner, Mayor of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

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 and quality of life for local residents in small urban and rural communities.

Intake Two builds on the successful first intake of the COMRIF initiative. As a result of funding provided by the governments of Canada and Ontario under the first and second intakes, infrastructure improvements are being made through 208 projects to make Ontario's communities stronger, healthier and safer.

COMRIF is a five-year, $900-million initiative that responds to local needs through infrastructure upgrades 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 Three will be launched in spring 2006 through a public announcement and direct contact with eligible municipalities. All Ontario municipalities of fewer than 250,000 people are eligible to apply to COMRIF to improve their local infrastructure.

For more information on the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, please visit www.comrif.ca.

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Contacts:

Diane Gagner
Mayor of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent
519-360-1998

Dave McLeod
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
519-826-3198

Sam Boonstra
Industry Canada
416-952-0468

Chris Flavelle
Senior Communications Advisor
Office of the Honourable Leona Dombrowsky
416-326-3072

Erik Waddell
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
613-957-0200

Project Reference Number:  13982