Township of King to Replace Local Culverts

For immediate release — April 21, 2006

Canada and Ontario invest in infrastructure renewal

KING CITY — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the Township of King today announced funding under Intake Two of the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) to replace four culverts.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $476,333 in the project. The Township of King will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $1,429,000. 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 will involve replacing four existing culverts, which are single-span steel multi-plate pipe arches. Culverts 217 and 222 will be replaced with new multi-plate pipe arch structures, while culverts 220 and 227 will be replaced with open-footing concrete box structures.

"Canada's new government is pleased to make this strategic investment in the Township of King," said John Baird, President of the Treasury Board. "Working collaboratively with our provincial and municipal partners is helping us all to respond to local infrastructure renewal needs in Ontario."

"Our province's infrastructure is essential to our well-being, our prosperity and our quality of life," said Greg Sorbara, MPP for Vaughan–King–Aurora. "Through COMRIF, part of the ReNew Ontario strategic plan, the McGuinty government is delivering results that can be seen across this province."

"The replacement of these culverts will maintain safe transportation routes and help foster the local economy and tourism," said Margaret Black, Mayor of the Township of King.

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:

Margaret Black
Mayor of the Township of King
905-833-5321

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: 13863