Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador Sign Agreement for Water and Transit Infrastructure Funding

BAY ROBERTS, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR--(Marketwired - July 7, 2016) - Infrastructure Canada

Investing in local infrastructure helps ensure that families have high-quality municipal water and wastewater systems they can rely on and that parents can get home from work quickly to spend more time with their kids.

The Honourable Judy Foote, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, announced a bilateral agreement today that will make infrastructure funding available across the province so that shovel-worthy projects can proceed without delay. The agreement makes more than $150 million in combined funding available to Newfoundland and Labrador municipalities to support water and wastewater, and public transit infrastructure projects.

Through the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund, more than $140 million will be provided for water and sewer system improvements in Grand Falls-Windsor, Conception Bay South, and Labrador City, among many others. Once complete, the projects will help ensure the people of Newfoundland and Labrador continue to enjoy clean, reliable drinking water while protecting the surrounding environment. Other investments under this program will support improvements to existing distribution and collection systems, and upgrades that promote community sustainability and growth.

Through the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund, nearly $10 million will be provided for projects to make public transit services more accessible and efficient in the province. This will help support strong, inclusive communities that are well prepared to meet the economic and environmental challenges of the future.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada recognizes that strong partnerships with all orders of government are necessary to support infrastructure and create good, well-paying jobs for Canadians. This agreement will allow communities across Newfoundland and Labrador to grow and prosper by providing them with funds to help address their specific infrastructure priorities."

The Honourable Judy Foote, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is investing $44 million as a part of our commitment to delivering safe, reliable drinking water to residents and properly managing wastewater and storm water systems. This is a part of today's important joint announcement that further demonstrates what can be achieved when federal, provincial and municipal governments work together to improve the lives of our people and their communities."

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

Quick facts

• This funding is part of the first phase of Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada's historic $120-billion plan to support public infrastructure across the country over the next 10 years.
• Phase 1 of Investing in Canada will provide well over $10 billion in immediate investments to support public transit systems, green infrastructure projects, and social infrastructure projects. Details on Phase 2 of Investing in Canada will be announced over the next year.
• The funding available under Phase 1 will be provided through the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund and the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund, both of which will be managed through agreements between the Government of Canada and provincial and territorial governments.
• Under this agreement, the Government of Canada has made its funding retroactive to April 1, 2016, so projects can proceed without delay to ensure a productive construction season.

Associated links

To learn more about Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada's new $120 billion infrastructure plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/index-eng.html

To learn more about the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/cwwf-fepeu-eng.html

To learn more about the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/ptif-fitc-eng.php

Twitter: @INFC_eng

Web: Infrastructure Canada