Municipality of Morris-Turnberry to Rehabilitate Local Culvert

For immediate release — April 21, 2006

Canada and Ontario invest in infrastructure renewal

BRUSSELS — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the Municipality of Morris-Turnberry today announced funding under Intake Two of the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) to rehabilitate the Clyde Line Culvert.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $50,967 in the project. The Municipality of Morris-Turnberry will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $152,900. 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 Clyde Line Culvert that spans the Lamont Drain, south of the Village of Bluevale, will be rehabilitated. The work will include repairing the deteriorated bridge components, installing steel guiderails and completing a series of improvements to the road embankment at the culvert site.

"Repairing the Clyde Line Culvert is a cooperative and balanced response to local infrastructure needs that will improve the overall safety of local residents," said John Baird, President of the Treasury Board. "Canada's new government is pleased to support solutions that address the fundamental challenges of our communities."

"Through COMRIF, the McGuinty government is supporting essential infrastructure projects like this one in Morris-Turnberry," said Carol Mitchell, MPP for Huron–Bruce. "We are committed to building strong rural communities, which are so important to the future of this province."

"This rehabilitation will ensure improved road safety for our residents, and we are happy to be working in partnership with the federal and provincial governments to move forward with this project," said Dorothy Kelly, Mayor of the Municipality of Morris-Turnberry.

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:

Dorothy Kelly
Mayor of the Municipality of Morris-Turnberry
519-887-6137

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:  13946