Town of Parry Sound, Municipality of McDougall and Townships of McKellar, Machar, Joly and Armour to Improve Local Infrastructure

For immediate release — April 21, 2006

Canada and Ontario invest in infrastructure renewal

PARRY SOUND — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and municipal leaders today announced funding under Intake Two of the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) to build strong and sustainable communities.

"Canada's new government supports working with the province of Ontario and local municipal counterparts to get things done. These communities have been looking for these projects to be completed, and we are proud to step up and help," said Tony Clement, MP for Parry Sound–Muskoka, Federal Minister of Health and Federal Minister responsible for COMRIF. "When we invest in projects such as these, we are investing in the individuals and families that live in these communities."

"With the announcement today for Parry Sound, McDougall, McKellar, Machar, Joly and Armour, the McGuinty government is improving the safety of Ontarians," said David Ramsay, Ontario Minister of Natural Resources. "Our greatest asset is our people, and we will continue to provide northern and rural communities with every opportunity to have a high quality of life."

The Government of Canada's contributions are contingent on the successful completion of an environmental assessment of the proposed projects under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $1,150,008 to replace the Gibson Street watermains, sanitary and storm sewers. The Town of Parry Sound will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $3,450,025. The project will involve replacing the existing deficient cast iron watermains and clay sanitary and sewer pipes along Gibson Street.

"I am delighted that the governments of Canada and Ontario are providing financial support to help our community with this important infrastructure project along Gibson Street," said Ted Knight, Mayor of the Town of Parry Sound.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $2,526,639 to expand the landfill site capacity. The Municipality of McDougall will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $7,579,917. In addition to expanding the landfill site capacity, an on-site groundwater treatment plant will also be constructed to supply the municipality and its partners with a 25-year uninterrupted supply of non-hazardous solid waste disposal.

"Providing our community with an environmentally sound waste disposal option is a priority for ours and surrounding communities, and we are pleased to have the support of the federal and provincial governments to move this project forward," said Dale Robinson, Mayor of the Municipality of McDougall.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $124,610 to expand the recycling depot. The Township of McKellar will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $373,831. As part of the project, the existing landfill will be closed and a monitoring program for surface and ground water will be installed. Bins for recycling will also be provided.

"We are pleased that our federal and provincial partners have recognized this infrastructure need, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on the health and safety of our residents," said David Moore, Reeve of the Township of McKellar.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $114,333 to rehabilitate Thunder Road Bridge. The Township of Machar will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $343,000. Work will involve replacing the bridge deck and stringers, reinforcing the floor beams and trusses, upgrading handrails and approach guiderails, cleaning and painting the bridge superstructure and performing concrete repairs.

"The rehabilitated Thunder Road Bridge will provide a safe alternate route for emergency vehicles and a shorter, more fuel-efficient one for area residents, and we are pleased to work with our federal and provincial partners on this improvement towards a better quality of life in our community," said Harvey Pinkerton, Mayor of the Township of Machar.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $104,333 to rehabilitate Brennan's Road Bridge and Kents Mill Road Bridge. The Township of Joly will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $313,000. The project scope will include reinforcing the existing girders and columns through the application of additional concrete and reinforcing steel.

"The Township of Joly is pleased to partner with the governments of Canada and Ontario in the implementation of these upgrades that will improve the overall safety and economic viability of our community," said Mario Campese, Reeve of the Township of Joly.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $76,667 to rehabilitate Pevensey Road Bridge. The Township of Armour will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $230,000. The bridge, which is located on the boundary road between the townships of Armour and Strong, will have additional steel and concrete applied to reinforce the bridge's girders and columns.

"The improved Pevensey Road Bridge will allow for the safer passage of commercial vehicles, encouraging further economic development in our community and surrounding area," said Marty Corcoran, Reeve of the Township of Armour.

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:

Ted Knight
Mayor of the Town of Parry Sound
705-746-2101

Dale Robinson
Mayor of the Municipality of McDougall
705-342-5252

David Moore
Reeve of the Township of McKellar
705-389-2842

Harvey Pinkerton
Mayor of the Township of Machar
705-386-7741

Mario Campese
Reeve of the Township of Joly
705-384-5428

Marty Corcoran
Reeve of the Township of Armour
705-382-3332

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