County of Haliburton and Township of Dysart et al Residents Benefit from Improvements to Local Infrastructure

For immediate release — April 25, 2005

Governments partner to make infrastructure investments

MINDEN — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and municipal leaders in Haliburton and Dysart et al today announced funding to replace three culverts and rehabilitate and replace two bridges.

"The replacement and renewal of these culverts and bridges will ensure that the existing roadway systems in the County of Haliburton and the Township of Dysart et al are maintained for residents and tourists, and support the economy of this area," said Andy Mitchell, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. "This investment illustrates the federal government's commitment to building more competitive communities in Ontario." 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. Mitchell.

"These improvements in the County of Haliburton and the Township of Dysart et al are examples of our government's commitment to upgrading essential infrastructure - an important part of Ontario's plan for rural communities," said John Gerretsen, Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. "These projects show how we are working to renew Ontario's infrastructure to improve public services and provide a high quality of life for all Ontarians."

These investments, made under the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF), will provide safer road infrastructure and improved quality of life for local residents.

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 $333,333 to replace three culverts. The County of Haliburton will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $1,000,000. The County of Haliburton will reconstruct culverts on Deep Bay Road, Eagle Lake Road and Haliburton Lake Road.

"This project retains the viability of the County's transportation system and supports the competitiveness of our local industries and tourism sector," said Jim McMahon, Warden of the County of Haliburton.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $173,267 to rehabilitate Coleman Lake Bridge and replace Burnt River Bridge. The Township of Dysart et al will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $519,800. Work includes improvements to curbs and sidewalks, replacement of deck drains and railing system, repaving of approaches, and improvements to the embankments.

"This rehabilitation and replacement will ensure that property owners continue to have access to their homes on Coleman Lake and the load restriction on Burnt River Bridge is removed," said Murray Fearrey, Reeve of the Township of Dysart et al.

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 McMahon
Warden of the County of Haliburton
705-286-1333

Murray Fearrey
Reeve of the Township of Dysart et al
705-457-1740

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

Sam Boonstra
Industry Canada
416-952-0468