County of Haldimand to Improve Local Bridge

For immediate release — April 21, 2006

Canada and Ontario invest in infrastructure renewal

CAYUGA — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the County of Haldimand today announced funding under Intake Two of the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) to replace Stirling Street Railway Overhead Bridge.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $424,783 in the project. The County of Haldimand will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $1,274,350. 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.

As part of the project, Stirling Street Railway Overhead Bridge will be reconstructed to improve vertical and horizontal alignment.

"Rebuilding this bridge will reopen this route, ensuring that both local traffic and county emergency vehicles have the best, most efficient path available to them," said Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development and MP for Haldimand–Norfolk. "Canada's new government supports working with the other levels of government to get things done. By investing in this project, we are improving the lives of the residents who live here."

"The McGuinty government is pleased to announce the replacement of Stirling Street Railway Overhead Bridge in the County of Haldimand," said Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "Today's announcement demonstrates our commitment to improve the quality of life in rural Ontario."

"We are happy to work with the governments of Canada and Ontario to move forward with this project that will ensure the safety of an important transportation link that unites our community," said Marie Trainer, Mayor of the County of Haldimand.

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:

Marie Trainer
Mayor of the County of Haldimand
905-318-5932

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:  13844