Township of Bonfield Residents Benefit from Local Bridge Improvements

For immediate release — April 25, 2005

Governments partner to make infrastructure investment

BONFIELD — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the Township of Bonfield today announced funding to reconstruct the Line 3 North Bridge.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $101,827 in the project. The Township of Bonfield will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $305,480. 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.

This investment, made under the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF), will provide safer road infrastructure and improved quality of life for local residents. As part of the project, a new steel bridge will be constructed over the Kaibuskong River, necessary roadwork will be carried out, and the river bottom will be reconstructed.

"It is imperative that communities have a reliable network of roads and bridges for use by residents and emergency vehicles," said Anthony Rota, MP for Nipissing–Timiskaming. "This investment will ensure the safety of all those who use the bridge." The Government of Canada's funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework, added Mr. Rota.

"Improvements to the Township of Bonfield's bridge are an example of our government's commitment to upgrading essential infrastructure – an important part of Ontario's plan for northern and rural communities," said Monique Smith, MPP for Nipissing. "This project shows how we are working to renew Ontario's infrastructure to improve public services and provide a high quality of life for all Ontarians."

"This investment is great news for our community as it will allow us to construct a new permanent structure along an important access route in our community," said Narry McCarthy, Mayor of the Township of Bonfield.

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 in small urban and rural communities. The objectives of this initiative are to enhance and renew Ontario's aging public infrastructure, improve the quality of the environment, protect the health and safety of citizens, support long-term economic growth and build strong, sustainable communities by giving municipalities the tools they need.

COMRIF is a five-year, $900-million program that focuses on local needs through infrastructure improvements to provide cleaner 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 Two will be launched in the coming weeks through a public announcement and direct contact with eligible municipalities. All Ontario municipalities of less than 250,000 people are eligible to apply to COMRIF to improve their local infrastructure.

For further information on the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, please visit www.comrif.ca.

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Contacts:

Narry McCarthy
Mayor of the Township of Bonfield
705-776-2641

Andrea Kelly
Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
416-585-7066

Sam Boonstra
Industry Canada
416-952-0468

Project Reference Number: 11440