MISSION, BRITISH COLUMBIA, DECEMBER 21, 2016 -- Access to clean, reliable drinking water is critical to the health and prosperity of Canadians. That is why the governments of Canada and British Columbia are committed to investing in modern water infrastructure that not only meets the needs of communities, but supports the middle class, and ensures that Canada remains the best place in the world to live, work and raise a family.
The official opening of the new Cannell Lake Water Treatment Plant took place Tuesday. The aging chlorination equipment has been replaced with a more modern, safe and efficient system which uses salt and electricity to create chlorine. As a result, workplace safety and plant efficiency has been improved. A new ultraviolet disinfection system was also added as an extra layer of protection to ensure the delivery of safe, higher quality drinking water to all residents for years to come. The new plant will be operational in the coming weeks.
"The federal Gas Tax Fund enables communities in British Columbia to make informed decisions about their infrastructure investments, as they are best positioned to identify their specific needs. We are proud to have supported this project that will help ensure access to safe drinking water for all residents," said Jati Sidhu, member of parliament for Mission - Matsqui - Fraser Canyon, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, minister of infrastructure and communities.
The Government of Canada contributed $3,078,000 to this project through the federal Gas Tax Fund. The District of Mission and the City of Abbotsford contributed $1,203,000. The total project cost is $4,281,000. The Government of Canada is providing over $265 million in 2016/17 in indexed funding for local government infrastructure projects across British Columbia through the federal Gas Tax Fund.
The Union of BC Municipalities administers the federal Gas Tax Fund in British Columbia in partnership with the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.
The federal Gas Tax Fund provides Canadian municipalities with a permanent, predictable and indexed source of long-term funding.
