City of Sault Ste. Marie to Improve Local Roads

For immediate release — April 21, 2006

Canada and Ontario invest in infrastructure renewal

SAULT STE. MARIE — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the City of Sault Ste. Marie today announced funding under Intake Two of the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) to reconstruct McNabb and South Market streets.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $1,459,887 in the project. The City of Sault Ste. Marie will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $4,379,660. 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 city will extend South Market Street from its current terminus south of Trunk Road northerly to Trunk Road, and widen and extend McNabb Street from Black Road south easterly to Trunk Road.

"Canada's new government supports working with the province of Ontario and municipalities to get things done. There is a need in Sault Ste. Marie to make these local road improvements, 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 in this community."

"Through the COMRIF program, the McGuinty government is delivering on infrastructure improvements for Sault Ste. Marie to ensure our roads are safe and dependable," said David Orazietti, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie. "Today's announcement is in addition to last year's $1.2 million in COMRIF funding for the East End Sewage Treatment Plant and builds on our recent $14 million road improvement allocation to our city, which recognizes the importance of maintaining reliable infrastructure for Sault residents."

"This project is exciting news for the economic development of our community as it will improve the movement of goods within the city and provide access to vacant lands that are currently under-utilized," said John Rowswell, Mayor of the City of Sault Ste. Marie.

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:

John Rowswell
Mayor of the City of Sault Ste. Marie
705-759-2500

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:  13828