Anishinabe of Wauzhushk Onigum First Nation to Receive Funding for Water and Wastewater Infrastructure

KENORA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - July 22, 2015) -

Residents of Anishinabe of Wauzhushk Onigum First Nation will benefit from drinking water and wastewater infrastructure improvements thanks to joint funding from the Governments of Canada and Ontario through the Small Communities Fund.

This project will include updates to Anishinabe of Wauzhushk Onigum drinking water infrastructure to help ensure that residents and families continue to have access to safe, clean drinking water. In addition, a number of updates will be made to modernize the wastewater treatment system, ensuring a continued level of service while minimizing potential adverse environmental effects.

The $1-billion Small Communities Fund provides funding for priority public infrastructure projects that deliver on local needs. Canada and Ontario will each provide $272 million to support projects in communities across the province with fewer than 100,000 residents. This funding will help address local priorities, supporting job creation and economic growth, thus sustaining a high quality of life in small communities across Ontario for years to come.

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada will provide up to $278,780 through the Small Communities Fund for this project.
• The Province of Ontario will contribute up to $278,780 to this project.
• Anishinabe of Wauzhushk Onigum will be responsible for all remaining costs of the project.

Quotes

"We are pleased to invest in projects, such as the water and wastewater upgrades for the Anishinabe of Wauzhushk Onigum First Nations, that will benefit communities by improving much needed local infrastructure.Our Government's commitment to municipalities, big and small, has never been stronger. Through the New Building Canada Plan Small Communities Fund we are investing in priority infrastructure projects that have a strong impact on the quality of life of Ontario's residents while helping job creation and economic growth."

The Honourable Greg Rickford, Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, Minister of Natural Resources, and Member of Parliament for Kenora

"Today's investment, which addresses an important local need, will ensure that the people of Anishinabe of Wauzhushk Onigum continue to have access to safe, clean, drinking water for years to come. It's part of the largest infrastructure investment in Ontario's history -- more than $130 billion over 10 years. Through the construction of important infrastructure projects like this one, our government is demonstrating our commitment to building Ontario up by keeping our communities strong and creating new jobs."

The Honourable Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines

"We are excited to partner with Minister Rickford, the Federal and Provincial Governments to upgrade our existing infrastructure. These improvements will ensure our community has access to clean and safe drinking water and will ensure that our waterways and watersheds are protected. We are excited to continue our working relationships with both levels of government for the improvement and betterment of our community."

Chief Chris Skead, Wauzhushk Onigum First Nation

Associated Links

To learn more about the Government of Canada's infrastructure programs, including the Small Communities Fund, please visit http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nbcp-npcc-eng.html.

To find out more about Ontario's infrastructure programs, including the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund, visit http://www.moi.gov.on.ca/en/infrastructure

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