Township of Ear Falls Residents Benefit from Local Road Improvements

For immediate release — April 25, 2005

Governments partner to make infrastructure investment

EAR FALLS — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the Township of Ear Falls today announced funding to improve local road infrastructure.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $489,953 to rehabilitate eight urban roads. The Township of Ear Falls will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $1,469,860. 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. Work on the roads will include in-place processing of existing asphalt, excavating lanes and shoulders, installing subdrains, regrading to improve drainage and repaving with 50mm asphalt.

"The improved access to the downtown region as part of these upgrades will enhance tourism and support the economic development of the Township," said Roger Valley, MP for Kenora. "When we invest in infrastructure projects such as this one, we are investing in the future of our communities." 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. Valley.

"Our government is committed to improving essential infrastructure in our northern communities," said David Ramsay, Ontario Minister of Natural Resources. "We know that Ontario's success depends on building strong communities through a strong economy and a safe, healthy environment. We are proud to participate in a project that will provide a quality of life that is second to none for the residents in Township of Ear Falls."

"These upgrades will make our roads safer to travel and will reduce future costs," said Jim Desmarais, Mayor of the Township of Ear Falls.

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 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 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:

Jim Desmarais
Mayor of the Township of Ear Falls
807-222-3624

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

Sam Boonstra
Industry Canada
416-952-0468

Project Reference Number: 11801