• Stimulus investment will help to create jobs and boost the regional economy
SAINT JOHN, NB, Canada, Aug. 17, 2009 -- Rodney Weston, Member of Parliament for Saint John, and the Honourable Stuart Jamieson, Minister of Tourism and Parks, today announced federal and provincial support for the construction, upgrade and improvement of water treatment and distribution infrastructure in Saint John. Both governments will jointly contribute almost $16 million for six individual water projects in the City of Saint John. The investment will help maintain and create new jobs and build stronger communities across the province.
"This investment to improve Saint John's water infrastructure was one of my "Four in Four," four priorities for the next four years," said MP Weston. "It has been the city's number one priority and it has been my priority ever since I was elected last October."
"These upgrades and improvements will ensure that the people of Saint John and New Brunswick have good, reliable drinking water," said Minister Jamieson, who spoke on behalf of Business New Brunswick Minister Victor Boudreau, minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation and Environment Minister Rick Miles. "This is yet another example of what can be achieved through partnership and co-operation among the three levels of government."
Six projects will receive federal funding from this investment, including $731,667 for the Beaverbrook Avenue Watermain Installation, $2.3 million for the East Phinney Hill Transmission Main Installation, and $1.3 million for the Dever Road Water Transmission Installation - a project that involves the replacement of a 110-year-old water main.
"This is a vital first step. It will allow council to move forward in partnership with the other levels of government on Council's number one priority of clean safe drinking water," said Ivan Court, Mayor of Saint John.
Federal funding for the six projects will come from the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. The federal and provincial governments will jointly fund up to two-thirds of the estimated eligible project costs, or a maximum of almost $8 million each. Saint John will fund the remaining costs, also estimated at $8 million.
Canada and New Brunswick are working together to create jobs and boost the economy, while making significant investments that help communities improve their infrastructure. Both governments have agreed to work together to ensure that these funds are delivered quickly and efficiently so that construction can begin as soon as possible.
To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca
For more information, please visit: www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.
Background: Infrastructure Stimulus Fund at Work in New Brunswick
Canada Invests in Water Treatment and Water Distribution Infrastructure
Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government has established a new $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund that provides funding to provincial, territorial and municipal construction-ready infrastructure rehabilitation projects. Funding is available for two years for projects that will be built during the 2009 and 2010 construction seasons.
Under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, the Government of Canada will provide up to $8 million in funding for construction, upgrades and improvements to six water treatment and water distribution projects in the province of New Brunswick. Total eligible project costs for all six projects are $24 million. The province and the City of Saint John will each match the federal contribution.
Under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, the Government of Canada has already announced $26.4 million in funding to support terminal improvements, modifications and expansion at the Port of Belledune; $35 million in funding for highway construction and rehabilitation across the province; $9 million in funding for upgrades to the New Brunwick Southern Railway; and $5 million in funding for the Bouctouche Civic Centre.
The Infrastructure Stimulus Fund complements existing and long-term federal infrastructure funding by focusing on short-term objectives for economic stimulus. To further this goal of rapid economic stimulus, the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund will focus on construction-readiness as important project selection criteria. The full $4 billion will be distributed in fiscal years 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. Projects will focus largely on the rehabilitation of existing assets such as water, wastewater, public transit, highways, roads, culture, parks, and trails.
A list of the funded water projects is available at the following address: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/infc_bg_en.pdf
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