Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula to Improve Local Road and Bridge

For immediate release — April 21, 2006

Canada and Ontario invest in infrastructure renewal

LIONS HEAD — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula today announced funding under Intake Two of the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) to reconstruct East Road and replace East Road Bridge.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $982,200 in the project. The Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $2,946,600. 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 reconstructing East Road, from Sideroad 5 to Dyers Bay Road, to improve traffic safety. Construction will improve vertical and horizontal alignment to achieve visibility and safe, clear zones. East Road Bridge will also be replaced.

"These upgrades to our local road and bridge will modernize a vital passage in the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula," said Larry Miller, MP for Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound. "By investing in safer infrastructure, the federal government is working in partnership to enhance our community's appeal as a destination for tourist and economic development."

"We recognize that improving East Road and East Road Bridge is a priority for the people of Northern Bruce Peninsula," said Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "The McGuinty government is investing in Ontario's prosperity by providing better opportunities for our people."

"We are pleased to partner with the governments of Canada and Ontario to rehabilitate East Road and East Road Bridge, which will ensure that public and commercial traffic have a safer route on which to travel," said Milton McIver, Mayor of the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula.

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:

Milton McIver
Mayor of the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula
519-793-3522

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: 13604