Municipality of North Middlesex and Township of Middlesex Centre Residents Benefit from Improvements to Local Infrastructure

For immediate release — April 25, 2005

Governments partner to make infrastructure investment

PARKHILL — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and municipal leaders in North Middlesex and Middlesex Centre today announced funding to improve wastewater and bridge infrastructure.

"The New Deal for Cities and Communities is about all orders of government working collaboratively to support community sustainability," said Rose-Marie Ur, MP for Lambton–Kent–Middlesex. "I am pleased to announce funding for these projects that will reinforce the safety and vitality of these 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 Mrs. Ur.

"Safe, reliable infrastructure is essential to every community," said John Wilkinson, MPP for Perth-Middlesex. "With projects like these, we are helping rural communities meet their highest priority infrastructure needs. The Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) is part of our plan to restore communities," added Mr. Wilkinson.

These COMRIF investments will improve the quality of life for local residents.

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.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $3,563,372 to upgrade the Ailsa Craig and Nairn wastewater systems. The Municipality of North Middlesex will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $10,690,116. Work includes constructing a communal sanitary sewage collection system for the community of Nairn, as well as two pumping stations and a forcemain from the community to the Ailsa Craig Sewage Treatment Plant. The treatment plant will also be upgraded.

"The Municipality of North Middlesex is grateful for this funding, enabling our community to better meet our health and safety priorities while also protecting our environment," said J. Wesley Hodgson, Mayor of the Municipality of North Middlesex.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $264,783 to replace the Gold Creek Bridge. The Township of Middlesex Centre will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $794,350. Work includes replacing the existing bridge and reconstructing the road approaches.

"By replacing the Gold Creek Bridge, the Township is able to follow through with its commitment to provide an efficient and safe transportation network that facilitates travel through and within the community," said Bev Shipley, Mayor of the Township of Middlesex Centre.

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:

J. Wesley Hodgson
Mayor of the Municipality of North Middlesex
519-294-6244

Bev Shipley
Mayor of the Township of Middlesex Centre
519-666-0190

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

Sam Boonstra
Industry Canada
416-952-0468