Tony and D'Oh give us money for roads, clean water

NEWS RELEASES

DAVID ORAZIETTI, MPP

********************* Orazietti announces $1.5 million for Sault road projects

Province committed to improving municipal infrastructure

SAULT STE. MARIE — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the City of Sault Ste. Marie today announced funding under Intake Two of the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) to reconstruct McNabb and South Market streets.

The governments of Canada and Ontario will each invest up to $1,459,887 in the project.

The City of Sault Ste. Marie will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $4,379,660.

The Government of Canada's contribution is contingent on the successful completion of an environmental assessment of the proposed project under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

"Through the COMRIF program, the McGuinty government is delivering on infrastructure improvements for Sault Ste. Marie to ensure our roads are safe and dependable," said David Orazietti, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie. "Today's announcement is in addition to last year's $1.2 million in COMRIF funding for the East End Sewage Treatment Plant and builds on our recent $14 million road improvement allocation to our city, which recognizes the importance of maintaining reliable infrastructure for Sault residents."

The city will extend South Market Street from its current terminus south of Trunk Road northerly to Trunk Road, and widen and extend McNabb Street from Black Road south easterly to Trunk Road.

"Canada's new government supports working with the province of Ontario and municipalities to get things done. There is a need in Sault Ste. Marie to make these local road improvements, and we are proud to step up and help," said Tony Clement, Federal Minister of Health and Federal Minister responsible for COMRIF. "By investing in this project, we are investing in the individuals and families that live in this community."

"This project is exciting news for the economic development of our community as it will improve the movement of goods within the city and provide access to vacant lands that are currently under-utilized," said John Rowswell, Mayor of the City of Sault Ste. Marie.

Under COMRIF, the governments of Canada and Ontario are working together with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and local partners to improve public infrastructure and quality of life for local residents in small urban and rural communities.

Intake Two builds on the successful first intake of the COMRIF initiative. As a result of funding provided by the governments of Canada and Ontario under the first and second intakes, infrastructure improvements are being made through 208 projects to make Ontario's communities stronger, healthier and safer.

COMRIF is a five-year, $900-million initiative that responds to local needs through infrastructure upgrades to provide clean, safe drinking water, better sewage systems, improved waste management processes, safer local roads and bridges, as well as other health and safety priorities. Green infrastructure is COMRIF’s top priority, with 55 per cent of funding for projects involving water quality, sustainable communities, climate change and innovation.

COMRIF Intake Three will be launched in spring 2006 through a public announcement and direct contact with eligible municipalities.

All Ontario municipalities of fewer than 250,000 people are eligible to apply to COMRIF to improve their local infrastructure.

For more information on the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, please visit www.comrif.ca.

********************** Orazietti announces $205,000 for Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority

Government marks "Earth Week" with grants to support local water protection planning

(SAULT STE. MARIE) - The McGuinty government is safeguarding the health of Ontario families and communities by supporting the protection of our drinking water sources with grants for scientific studies, David Orazietti, MPP announced today.

"Local communities are in the best position to develop water protection plans that work for them," said Orazietti. "We know their decisions must be based on sound science. This is why we are supporting research and planning efforts in rural and urban communities across the province."

The McGuinty government is providing close to $10 million in grants for municipalities, part of the government's $67.5 million commitment for source water protection planning.

The Sault Ste. Marie Conservation Authority received $205,000 from the provincial government to assist with protecting community drinking water supplies.

Today's funding is in addition to $875,286 provided to the Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority in recent years from the provincial government.

The proposed Clean Water Act received second reading in the legislature following broad consultation with municipalities, agriculture, conservation authorities, industry, non-governmental organizations, public health officials, water experts and the public.

If passed, it would ensure that communities are able to identify potential risks to their supply of drinking water, and take action to reduce or eliminate these risks.

"This unprecedented piece of legislation with its focus on prevention is part of our plan to protect our drinking water from source to tap," said Environment Minister Laurel Broten.

"Sault Ste. Marie will have the tools it needs to develop and implement local plans to protect the sources of the water our residents drink," said Orazietti. "The result will be cleaner, safer water supplies and a healthier Ontario."

Today's announcement is just one way the McGuinty government is delivering on our commitment to improve the health of working families across Ontario.

By keeping our water clean and helping industry to create less air pollution we’re making the environment better for our children and all Ontario families.

We all win when we invest in the environment.

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