MONTRÉAL,APRIL 18, 2017 -- An investment of nearly$84.4 millionfor two water projects in the Montréal area under the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF) will contribute to maintaining, renewing or developing their infrastructure to ensure the production and distribution of quality drinking water for residents or the proper disposal and treatment of wastewater.
"These vital investments in Montréal's water infrastructure reflect the Government ofCanada'scommitment to ensuring access to sustainable and adequate services for Canadians for years to come," Marc Garneau, minister of transportation and member of parliament forNotre-Dame-de-Grâce‒Westmount. "We will continue working in close collaboration with our partners to ensure we make smart infrastructure investments that help protect the environment, clean up the St. Lawrence River and preserve public health, while paving the way for economic growth and for the creation of good-paying middle class jobs."
The Government ofCanadais investing more than$50.8 millionfor these projects, and the Government ofQuebecis providing more than$33.5 millionfor a total joint contribution of more than$84.4 million. The municipalities will provide the remainder of the funding.
"Thanks to the federal-provincial agreement of the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund, the City of Montréal and the Town of Montréal West will be able to complete important projects to meet their needs," Martin Coiteux, minister of municipal affairs and land occupancy, minister of public security, and minister responsible for the Montréal area. "The financial support announced today clearly shows how working in partnership is improving the quality of life of our fellow citizens."
The City of Montréal will receive close to$83 millionfor the renewal of its water pipes, with$49,987,144coming from the Government ofCanadaand$32,991,520from the Government ofQuebec.
The Town of Montréal-West will benefit from more than$1.4 millionin government funding for the renewal of its water pipes, with$869,096coming from the Government ofCanadaand$573,604from the Government ofQuebec.
Thanks to its base financial assistance rate of 83%, the CWWF is allowing municipalities to invest almost$800 millionin infrastructure projects. Over the period of 2016 to 2018, the federal government will provide$363.8 millionand the provincial government will provide$300 millionfor a total joint investment of$664 million. The implementation of the CWWF was made possible bythe signing of a bilateral agreement betweenCanadaandQuebecinJuly 2016, which made funding available for water projects across the province.
This fund is part of theInvesting inCanadaplan, the Government ofCanada'shistoric plan that provides more than$180 billionin infrastructure funding to improve public transit, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, transportation that supports trade, andCanada'srural and northern communities.
Budget 2017 proposed$21.9 billionover 11 years for investments for green infrastructure. This amount includes$5 billionthat will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.