Township of Nipissing Residents Benefit from Local Road Improvements

For immediate release — April 25, 2005

Governments partner to make infrastructure investment

NIPISSING — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the Township of Nipissing today announced funding to improve municipal road infrastructure.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $123,626 to rebuild Alsace Road. The Township of Nipissing will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $370,878. 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. The Township of Nipissing will rebuild and resurface approximately 5.5 km of Alsace Road from Stillar Side Road to the intersection of Toeppner Boulevard.

"Through the New Deal for Cities and Communities, the federal government is working in partnership with municipalities to support them in their efforts to build the infrastructure they need to remain secure and competitive," said Anthony Rota, MP for Nipissing–Timiskaming. "Improving Alsace Road will enable the Township of Nipissing to better plan for the future." 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.

"These improvements show our government's commitment to upgrading essential infrastructure – an important part of Ontario's plan to strengthen our 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."

"We are eager to proceed with these upgrades to Alsace Road to ensure safer travel for all residents in the Township of Nipissing," said Wendy Billingsley, Reeve of the Township of Nipissing.

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.

- 30 -

Contacts:

Wendy Billingsley
Reeve of the Township of Nipissing
705-724-2144

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

Sam Boonstra
Industry Canada
416-952-0468

Project Reference Number: 11430