Town of Renfrew, County of Renfrew, Township of Admaston/Bromley to Improve Local Wastewater, Bridge and Waste Diversion Infrastructure

For immediate release — April 21, 2006

Canada and Ontario invest in infrastructure renewal

RENFREW — 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 is pleased to invest in projects that these three communities would like to see completed," said Cheryl Gallant, MP for Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke. "We support working with the province of Ontario and our municipal counterparts to get things done. By investing in these projects, we are investing in the individuals and families that live here."

"Upgrading essential infrastructure is important to Ontario's rural communities," said Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "By upgrading the infrastructure in the Town of Renfrew, the County of Renfrew and the Township of Admaston/Bromley, the McGuinty government is helping to ensure the prosperity of rural Ontario."

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 $9,457,248 to upgrade the Renfrew Wastewater Treatment Plant from primary treatment to secondary treatment. The Town of Renfrew will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $28,371,745. Upgrades will include construction of new facilities such as aeration tanks and secondary clarifiers, non-toxic disinfection, improved phosphorus removal, limited septage treatment and biosolids stabilization/management.

"This essential upgrade to our water treatment plant will result in significant improvements in the areas of public health, environmental sustainability and economic productivity for our community," said Sandra Heins, Mayor of the Town of Renfrew.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $305,000 to rehabilitate Golden Lake Bridge. The County of Renfrew will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $915,000. Work will include the replacement and widening of the existing deck, the replacement of deficient barrier walls and guiderails, concrete and steel components, and the installation of energy attenuators.

"This bridge links the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan and the County of Renfrew, and these improvements will help maintain and stimulate economic activity," said Bob Sweet, Warden of the County of Renfrew.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $60,741 to construct a waste diversion facility at the Osceola Waste Disposal Site. The Township of Admaston/Bromley will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $182,224. The project includes: installation of electrical power and weight scales for the site; construction of an operations building, including a storage and sorting area for recyclables and reusable items, and a garage for the waste compactor; development of designated storage areas for bulk recyclables such as scrap metal, tires, glass, construction and demolition waste; and development of a composting area.

"The development of landfill operations and related waste diversion facilities at a single site will help us improve our efficiency in managing recyclable materials," said Raye-Anne Briscoe, Mayor of the Township of Admaston/Bromley.

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:

Sandra Heins
Mayor of the Town of Renfrew
613-432-4848

Bob Sweet
Warden of the County of Renfrew
613-735-7288

Raye-Anne Briscoe
Mayor of the Township of Admaston/Bromley
613-432-2885

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