Town of Mono and County of Dufferin Residents Benefit from Improvements to Local Infrastructure

For immediate release — April 25, 2005

Governments partner to make infrastructure investments

ORANGEVILLE — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and municipal leaders in Mono and Dufferin today announced funding to replace and reconstruct four bridge structures.

"These upgrades will increase the safety of the bridges and improve the flow of traffic through the area," said Andy Mitchell, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. "As part of the New Deal for Cities and Communities, the federal government is pleased to invest in these rural infrastructure projects." 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.

"Improvements to Mono's and Dufferin's bridges are an example of our government's commitment to upgrading essential infrastructure – an important part of Ontario's plan for our rural communities," said John Gerretsen, Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. "We are working to renew Ontario's infrastructure to improve public services and to make rural Ontario strong, healthy and prosperous."

These investments, made under the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF), will improve the 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 $598,000 to replace bridges #8, #20, #28 and #29. The Town of Mono will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $1,794,000. The existing bridges will be replaced with new structures and, where necessary, road approaches will be resurfaced, watercourse embankments will be stabilized and approach guardrails will be installed.

"This announcement is exciting news for our community and the motorists who use these bridges on a daily basis," said Keith Thompson, Mayor of the Town of Mono.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $500,000 to reconstruct Black's Bridge over the Grand River. The County of Dufferin will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $1,500,000. The new bridge will be widened and the road alignment will be improved.

"I'm delighted that we will be able to reconstruct Black's Bridge, making it more efficient and safer to use," said John Oosterhof, Warden of the County of Dufferin.

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:

Keith Thompson
Mayor of the Town of Mono
519-941-3599

John Oosterhof
Warden of the County of Dufferin
519-941-2816

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

Sam Boonstra
Industry Canada
416-952-0468