Canada-Quebec water, wastewater pipeline renewal partnership to benefit Quebec cities

July 24, 2009
QUEBEC CITY, PQ, Canada, July 24, 2009 -- A group of 11 Quebec municipalities will benefit from a contribution of $9,043,690 under the federal-provincial agreement pertaining to a water/wastewater pipeline renewal program...

QUEBEC CITY, PQ, Canada, July 24, 2009 -- Canada's Minister of Public Works and Government Services, the Honorable Christian Paradis, and Quebec's Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, Laurent Lessard, are pleased to announce that a group of 11 Quebec municipalities will benefit from a contribution of $9,043,690 under the federal-provincial agreement pertaining to the pipeline renewal program, le Programme de renouvellement des conduites (PRECO), which will create jobs and stimulate the economy. With municipal contributions, investments totaling $13,565,535 will enable the completion of important infrastructure work.

"Through the federal contribution to PRECO, the Government of Canada will create jobs and boost the economy," said Minister Paradis. "Our government is investing $936 million from the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund for Quebec projects, of which $350 million will be for PRECO, to revitalize water and wastewater pipelines throughout Quebec."

"These investments will give many municipalities the opportunity to ensure the sustainability of water and wastewater infrastructure in their areas, and to protect and improve the quality of life of their citizens. The Pipeline Renewal Program will also create jobs while stimulating the economy, leading to the sustainable development of a prosperous Quebec," added Minister Lessard.

This announcement comes just over three months after the priority announcement of PRECO made on March 26, 2009, by the Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honorable Stephen Harper, and the Premier of Quebec, Mr. Jean Charest. The launch of PRECO on April 6, 2009, is possible due to a joint contribution from Canada and Quebec of approximately $700 million. With municipal contributions, over $1 billion will be available for projects that will be completed in the next two years.

PRECO is a simple and innovative program that will enable Quebec municipalities to repair or replace water and wastewater pipes. Investment priorities will be determined by the municipalities based on a plan of action that they will submit to the Quebec Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy. The municipalities themselves are responsible for choosing between the repair or replacement of the pipes, which enables them greater autonomy. The underground pipeline network for all Quebec municipalities spans more than 80,000 km at an estimated cost of over $60 billion.

The Government of Canada's contribution to PRECO comes from the new $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which is part of Canada's Economic Action Plan announced in the January 2009 Budget. The federal government set aside up to $350 million of this fund for projects approved through PRECO.

The $350-million contribution from the Government of Quebec is part of the Quebec infrastructure plan, le Plan Quebecois des infrastructures, which was expanded in January 2009 and now includes an investment of almost $42 billion for renewing existing infrastructure throughout Quebec over the next five years.

>> More information on infrastructure investments in Canada
>> More information about Canada's Economic Action Plan
>> More information about the Quebec infrastructure plan, le Plan Quebecois des infrastructures
>> Aussi disponible en français içi

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