Town of Kirkland Lake to Improve Local Wastewater Infrastructure

For immediate release — April 21, 2006

Canada and Ontario invest in infrastructure renewal

KIRKLAND LAKE — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the Town of Kirkland Lake today announced funding under Intake Two of the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) to construct the Burnside Drive trunk storm sewermain.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $450,000 in the project. The Town of Kirkland Lake will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $1,350,000. 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.

The project will involve the construction of the Burnside Drive trunk storm sewermain and sanitary sewermain to provide a storm sewer outlet for the north half of the town.

"Canada's new government supports working with the other levels of government to get things done. There is a need for this wastewater infrastructure project, and we are proud to step up and help," said Tony Clement, Federal Minister of Health and Federal Minister responsible for COMRIF. "By investing in this project, we are investing in the individuals and families that live here."

"Today's announcement demonstrates that rural Ontario is a priority for the McGuinty Government," said David Ramsay, Ontario Minister of Natural Resources and MPP for Timiskaming–Cochrane. "It's part of our government's plan to strengthen rural and Northern Ontario by strengthening our infrastructure — and we are making progress on that plan."

"We welcome this opportunity to move forward on this important wastewater infrastructure project that addresses health and safety needs specific to our community," said Bill Enouy, Mayor of the Town of Kirkland Lake.

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:

Bill Enouy
Mayor of the Town of Kirkland Lake
705-567-9361

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: 13568