Municipality of West Elgin, County of Elgin and City of St. Thomas to Improve Local Infrastructure

For immediate release — April 21, 2006

Canada and Ontario invest in infrastructure renewal

RODNEY — 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 provinces and municipalities to get things done. These projects are about more than just roads or bridges. They are about building these communities," said Joe Preston, MP for Elgin–Middlesex–London. "When we invest in renewal projects such as these, we are investing in the individuals and families that live here."

"Our province's infrastructure is essential to the well-being, prosperity and quality of life for residents in West Elgin, Elgin and St. Thomas," said Steve Peters, Ontario Minister of Labour and MPP for Elgin–Middlesex–London. "Through COMRIF, the McGuinty government is delivering improved bridges and roads, water systems and waste management processes across 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 $9,797,985 to construct a new water treatment plant and extend the Graham Road watermain. The Municipality of West Elgin will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $21,773,300. The new plant will use membrane filtration technology. The Graham Road watermain will be extended from Finney Street in West Lorne to McMurchy Line on Graham Road to service areas currently relying on shallow wells.

"Constructing a new water treatment facility and upgrading this local watermain addresses our real infrastructure needs and ensures our community has an essential foundation on which it can continue to build," said Graham Warwick, Mayor of the Municipality of West Elgin.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $502,333 to replace New Sarum Bridge. The County of Elgin will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $1,507,000. The bridge, which spans the Catfish Creek along County Road #74, will be replaced with a new rigid frame bridge, complete with re-graded approaches.

"The rehabilitated New Sarum Bridge will ensure that our motorists have an improved and more secure route, and we are pleased to work with our federal and provincial partners to deliver this important infrastructure upgrade to our residents," said Paul Baldwin, Warden of the County of Elgin.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $302,800 to replace the Wellington Street watermains and sewermains. The City of St. Thomas will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $908,400. As part of the project, new storm sewers will be installed, and sanitary sewer and service connections will be rehabilitated.

"We are pleased to proceed with this water and sewer project, which demonstrates that working in partnership with the federal and provincial governments can ensure the health and safety of residents in our community," said Jeff Kohler, Mayor of the City of St. Thomas.

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:

Graham Warwick
Mayor of the Municipality of WestElgin
519-785-0560

Paul Baldwin
Warden of the County of Elgin
519-631-1460

Jeff Kohler
Mayor of the City of St. Thomas
519-631-1680

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