Township of South Glengarry to Replace Local Culverts

For immediate release — April 21, 2006

Canada and Ontario invest in infrastructure renewal

LANCASTER — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the Township of South Glengarry today announced funding under Intake Two of the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) to replace the Filion Drain and Wesley Creek culverts.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $234,000 in the project. The Township of South Glengarry will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $702,000. 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 township will replace two culverts to meet current design standards, improve the guiderails and make environmental enhancements.

"In order to remain economically competitive, it is important that communities such as South Glengarry have a reliable network of roads and bridges in place," said Guy Lauzon, MP for Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry. "This federal COMRIF investment will help to secure the prosperity of our community."

"The McGuinty government recognizes that we can improve the health and prosperity of our people if we make the right investments in our communities and infrastructure," said Jim Brownell, MPP for Stormont–Dundas–Charlottenburgh. "We're committed to building strong rural communities, which are so important to the future of this province."

"Through these federal and provincial contributions, we are able to move forward with this project to enhance our road infrastructure," said Jim McDonell, Mayor of the Township of South Glengarry.

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:

Jim McDonell
Mayor of the Township of South Glengarry
613-347-1166

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:  14003