St. John’s Residents to Benefit from Improved Water and Wastewater Services

The governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador are committed to investing in local infrastructure that ensures Canadians and their families have access to reliable water and wastewater services, and are protected from the effects of climate change.

Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, the Honorable Tom Osborne, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Finance, and MHA for Waterford Valley, and his Worship, Danny Breen, Mayor of the City of St. John’s, today announced more than $21 million in total joint funding towards improving water and wastewater infrastructure, and preventing the likelihood of flooding in the City of St. John’s.

The Government of Canada is contributing up to $5.6 million to these projects through the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component—National Regional Projects. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will contribute up to $7.7 million, with the City of St. John’s contributing over $8.4 million.

Projects include improvements to the Windsor Lake Water Treatment Plant; the extensive rehabilitation and replacement of sewer, storm and water mains in downtown St. John’s; and the construction of a retaining wall and berm along the Rennies River, upstream of Portugal Cove Road.

These upgrades will reduce future maintenance costs and provide more reliable delivery of clean drinking water to residents and businesses, while reducing potential water main leaks and limiting overflow into the St. John’s Harbour.

Flood control measures will eliminate the potential for flooding along Rennies River, safeguard the health and well-being of residents, and preserve local ecosystems.
 
Quotes
 
“Investing in high-quality water and wastewater infrastructure is an essential part of building livable, healthy communities. The Government of Canada also knows that we must protect our communities against the effects of climate change. We are proud to work with Newfoundland and Labrador, and the City of St. John’s, to support improvements to water and wastewater services, and to ensure residents have a safe environment to live, work and raise their families.”
- Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
 
“The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has prioritized investments in projects that provide high quality drinking water and safe wastewater systems such as the infrastructure upgrades we announced today. Our government looks forward to continuing to work collaboratively with our federal and municipal partners towards building and maintaining safe and sustainable communities.”
- The Honorable Tom Osborne, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Honourable Andrew Parsons, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Justice and Public Safety
 
“The City’s commitment will enhance the quality of life for our residents though infrastructure upgrades that will ensure the protection of property and the continued provision of our superior water supply. We are pleased that both provincial and federal governments are supporting our community through these important investments.”
- His Worship, Danny Breen, Mayor of the City of St. John’s
 
Quick facts
 
The Governments of Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the City of St. John’s are providing up to $1,903,210 towards Phase 2A of the Rennies River Flood Mitigation Project; up to $5,000,000 towards the Windsor Lake Water Treatment Plant Process Improvements Project; and up to $14,996,924 towards the St. John’s Water and Sewer Reconstruction Project.

The Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.

26.9 billion of this funding will support green infrastructure projects, including $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

These investments complement the Atlantic Growth Strategy, a 2-year federal-provincial action plan aimed at stimulating economic growth in the region through five priority areas:

• Skilled workforce/Immigration;
• Innovation;
• Clean growth and climate change;
• Trade and investment;
• Infrastructure. 

Associated links 
Investing in Canada: Canada’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html
 
Federal infrastructure investments in Newfoundland and Labrador: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/nl-eng.html
 
Atlantic Growth Strategy: http://www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca/ags-sca/Eng/atlantic-growth.html
 
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Contacts
Kate Monfette
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-301-0894
kate.monfette@canada.ca
 
Erin Shea
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment
709-729-2575
ErinShea@gov.nl.ca
 
Kelly Maguire
Media Relations
City of St. John's
709-576-8491
kmaguire@stjohns.ca
 
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: infc.media.infc@canada.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada