Canada and Ontario Invest Over $235 million in Municipal Rural Infrastructure

For immediate release — April 21, 2006

Ontario residents to benefit from improvements to local communities

TORONTO — Delivering on their commitment to build sustainable communities, the governments of Canada and Ontario today announced investments of up to $235,672,022 in 88 communities under Intake Two of the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF).

"Canada's new government supports working with the provinces and municipalities to get things done," said Tony Clement, Federal Minister of Health and Federal Minister responsible for COMRIF. "Through COMRIF, we are delivering over $117 million in funding that you can see right across the province. From better roads to improved drinking water this is a program communities depend on."

"We are committed to providing Ontario's rural and small urban communities with the tools they need to renew essential infrastructure," said Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "Today's 88 COMRIF announcements demonstrate the McGuinty government's progress in strengthening our rural communities."

"COMRIF is an important trilateral partnership for Canada, Ontario and municipalities in this province. It demonstrates that investment in municipal infrastructure is a shared responsibility that creates tangible economic and environmental benefits locally, provincially and nationally," said Roger Anderson, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

Intake Two builds on the successful first intake of COMRIF. 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.

The investments announced today will provide municipalities with the support they need to renew essential infrastructure in their communities. Together with municipal contributions, the total Intake Two investment in local infrastructure improvements exceeds $340 million.

Local announcements with specific project details are being made across the province.

A listing of funded projects is available in the attached backgrounder.

These investments cover the full range of COMRIF Intake Two priorities, which will result in upgrades to provide clean, safe drinking water, better sewage systems, improved waste management processes, and safer roads and bridges.

Under the five-year, $900-million COMRIF initiative, the governments of Canada and Ontario are working together with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and local partners to enhance and renew Ontario's public infrastructure, improve the quality of the environment, protect the health and safety of citizens, support long-term economic growth and build strong, sustainable communities by giving municipalities the tools they need.

"Infrastructure is a key concern for communities," said Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "By providing these investments, this government is partnering with communities to make significant infrastructure improvements which deliver results to residents, whether it's better roads or improved drinking water systems."

"The Government of Ontario, together with our federal and municipal partners, is committed to restoring this province's public infrastructure," said David Caplan, Ontario Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal. "Today's COMRIF announcements will help achieve our ReNew Ontario initiative, the province's five-year plan to revitalize public infrastructure."

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:

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

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