Municipality of Highlands East and County of Haliburton to Improve Local Bridges

For immediate release — April 21, 2006

Canada and Ontario invest in infrastructure renewal

WILBERFORCE — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and municipal leaders today announced funding under Intake Two of the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) to build strong and sustainable communities.

"Canada's new government supports working with the other levels of government to get things done. These communities need these local bridge upgrades, and we are proud to step up and help," said Barry Devolin, MP for Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock. "By investing in these projects, we are investing in the individuals and families that live here."

"Through COMRIF, the McGuinty government is strengthening rural communities," said Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "We are strengthening our rural communities and improving the prosperity of our people by making sure our infrastructure is safe and dependable."  

The Government of Canada's contributions are contingent on the successful completion of an environmental assessment of the proposed projects under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $429,567 to replace Dillman's Bridge and Hadlington Road Culvert. The Municipality of Highlands East will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $1,288,700 to replace these structures that cross over the Irondale River. Dillman's Bridge, currently closed to traffic, will be replaced with a low-maintenance structure built to current engineering standards. The Hadlington Road Culvert will be removed and replaced with an open-span bridge structure designed to prevent overtopping during flooding.

"We are pleased that, through COMRIF, we can now start these important upgrades that will encourage the continued economic development of our community by providing safe access to local thoroughfares," said Keith Tallman, Reeve of the Municipality of Highlands East.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $221,667 to replace Culvert 1020. The County of Haliburton will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $665,000. The culvert will be replaced with a new, longer structure that better accommodates the roadway platform.

"We are pleased to partner with the federal and provincial governments on this project that will improve this route for tourism and circulation of goods," said Murray Fearrey, Warden of the County of Haliburton.

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.

- 30 -

Contacts:

Keith Tallman
Reeve of the Municipality of Highlands East
705-448-2981

Murray Fearrey
Warden of the County of Haliburton
705-286-1333

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