Government Of Canada Supports Clean Water In Mississippi Mills And Almonte

February 19, 2008

Mississippi Mills, Ontario — The Honourable Gordon O’Connor, Minister of National Revenue, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced the Government of Canada will consider the upgrade of the communal sewage system in Mississippi Mills and Almonte as a priority for up to $7.13 million in federal infrastructure funding.

The federal contribution would be up to one-third of total eligible costs. The total estimated cost of the project is $21.4 million.

“Maintaining a healthy and sustainable environment is directly related to the health and prosperity of communities and their residents, and is a priority for the Government of Canada,” said Minister O’Connor. “Supporting upgrades to the communal sewage system is one of the ways we will deliver results in this priority area.”

“We are pleased that the federal government has recognized the importance of this project to Mississippi Mills and we thank them for their support,” said J. A. (Al) Lunney, Mayor of Mississippi Mills. “As a small rural municipality, we simply cannot afford the costs of major infrastructure investments of this magnitude without funding partnerships between all levels of government. We especially want to recognize the leadership of our member Gordon O'Connor who helped to bring this funding to fruition.”

The project consists of construction of a new mechanical sewage treatment plant and renewal of the existing raw sewage pumping station. These upgrades will improve the quality of the wastewater and the overall capabilities of the facility.

Funding for this project comes from the $200 million announced in February 2007, to top up the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) nation-wide. The Government of Canada is directing $64 million in funding to existing clean water applications under MRIF in Ontario.

Federal financial support for the project is conditional on the initiative meeting all applicable eligibility requirements and other program criteria to be approved by Treasury Board, a federal review of the project, the successful completion of an environmental assessment, assurance by the municipality that the remaining project costs have been fully financed and accounted for, and the signing of a contribution agreement for the project detailing the project elements and any other federal requirements.

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