Mayor Supports Report Card Findings
Mayor Dennis O'Keefe and Council fully support the findings of the recently released "Canadian Infrastructure Report Card 2012" by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
"The Report Card shows that core municipal infrastructure is at risk and sustained investment is required by federal, provincial and municipal governments," says Mayor O'Keefe. "It is essential that the federal and provincial governments immediately commit to new long-term funding partnerships with municipal governments."
The Report Card is the first of its kind and was developed by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and three industry partners. It is based on a survey of more than 120 municipalities, representing 60 per cent of the Canadian population. The Report highlights significant deficiencies in roads, drinking water, wastewater and stormwater management systems.
"In some areas we are in good shape, while others need continued significant investment," says Mayor O'Keefe. "We have made some major progress as a City, but we have a long way to go. Increased funding and leadership from our federal and provincial governments is going to be the key to addressing the problem areas we have in the City of St. John's."
While the City of St. John's was not included in the survey, Mayor O'Keefe has provided his own Report Card on the City's infrastructure:
| Infrastructure | Grade | Description |
| Water Treatment Plants | Very Good | Investments of approximately $140 million into the Regional Water System infrastructure at Bay Bulls Big Pond, Windsor Lake and Petty Harbour Long Pond have given the City of St. John's an advanced treatment system that will serve the region well for years to come. |
| Wastewater Treatment Plant | Very Good | Investments of more than $180 million into the Riverhead Wastewater Treatment Plant have given residents a state of the art primary treatment facility. |
| Waste Management | Very Good | Investments of more than $56 million into improvements at the Robin Hood Bay Waste Management Facility have given residents a modern facility that meets the solid waste management needs of the region. |
| Public Transit | Good | The City's public transit system (Metrobus) is in good shape as a result of recent investments into a new terminal and new buses. GoBus Accessible Transit has also recently hired a new operator who has brought modern practices and invested in the City with a fleet of new buses in the past year. To improve the public transit system we must begin to move towards a regional system. |
| Recreation/Parks | Fair | Increased investment is required in our network of parks, Recreation Centres, pools, walking trails and open spaces. The City's Recreation and Parks Master Plan outlines the investment required to improve St. John's indoor and outdoor facilities. |
| Roads | Fair | Despite the City's best efforts, due to limited resources, transportation infrastructure in the City of St. John's requires a great deal of work and investment to keep up with the increasing traffic volumes and maintain the existing road network. |
| Underground Infrastructure | Poor | Underground infrastructure is a particular issue for the City of St. John's and requires significant investment. Water mains, Storm Sewer and Sanitary Sewer pipes are aging and in need of replacement. |
For further information:
Jennifer Mills
Communications Officer
City of St. John's
Phone: (709) 570-2037
Cell: (709) 690-7586
E-mail: jmills@stjohns.ca
Dennis O'Keefe
Mayor
City of St. John's
Phone: (709) 576-8477
E-mail: dokeefe@stjohns.ca