OTTAWA, ON, Aug. 28, 2009 -- The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Metis and Non-Status Indians, today congratulated Nipissing First Nation on the commissioning of its new Garden Village Water and Wastewater Treatment facilities. The Government of Canada invested $14 million to improve the water quality and communal wastewater treatment within this community located 44 km west of North Bay, Ontario.
"The Government of Canada believes that investing in reliable water and wastewater facilities is fundamental for healthy and strong First Nation communities," said Minister Strahl. "These new facilities are an excellent example of action taken and real progress made to improve the quality of life for First Nations in Ontario. The success of this project is something that the entire community should be proud of."
"With Canada's investment and our own commitment of $2.1 million, Nipissing First Nation was able to connect an adjoining sub-division and meet the demand for serviced lots within our growing community," said June Commanda, Deputy Chief of Nipissing First Nation. "Our staff provided full project management services for this initiative, which was completed on time and within budget. We can now offer clean, safe water and sanitary services to our members. This project will provide economic growth and stability for years to come."
The Garden Village Water and Wastewater Treatment facilities replace an older system, which was unable to meet the current needs of the First Nation. The new water and wastewater treatment facilities were designed by Neegan Burnside Ltd. and developed by Pederson Construction Ltd. and the Miller Group. The new system provides clean drinking water and sanitary services to 450 community residents, and replaces private septic tanks and field systems for sewage disposal.
The Government of Canada is taking decisive action to improve water conditions on reserves through new measures identified in the First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan. Canada's contribution to the Garden Village Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant was drawn from the Action Plan, and from INAC's Ontario Region Capital Budget.
The federal government also has additional ongoing investments in water and wastewater, including the $165 million investment for 18 water and wastewater projects for First Nation communities identified in Canada's Economic Action Plan (http://actionplan.gc.ca/eng/index.asp).
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