$200M given by Feds and Provincial governments to update waste water in Hamilton

$200M given by Feds and Provincial governments to update waste water in Hamilton

The governments of Canada and Ontario are partnering with the City of Hamilton to support major upgrades for the Woodward Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant. Federal and provincial funding for these upgrades will help stimulate the local economy, create jobs, and support stronger communities while protecting the environment and improving water quality in the Hamilton Harbour.

The Honourable John Baird, Canada's Transport and Infrastructure Minister, and the Honourable Brad Duguid, Ontario's Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, along with Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger, made the announcement today. They were joined by Hamilton Mountain MPP Sophia Aggelonitis, MP David Sweet and MPP Ted McMeekin who both represent Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale.

"Today's investment will help build the infrastructure Hamilton needs to create a cleaner, greener environment and return Hamilton Harbour to its former glory," said Minister Baird. "As part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, our government is supporting projects that will help our economy today and support community infrastructure for generations to come."

"Today's investment is another demonstration of the McGuinty government's strong commitment to protecting the environment and improving water quality across the province," said Minister Duguid. "As part of our Open Ontario Plan we will continue to build on Ontario's expertise in clean-water technology. This will help lay the foundation for new Ontario jobs and make our province the North American leader in the development and sale of new technologies and services for water conservation and treatment."

"By making this investment in Hamilton's wastewater treatment capacity, the City, the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada are taking the lead in protecting our water, remediating our Harbour, and ensuring Hamilton's sustainable growth," said Mayor Eisenberger. "Water is life and these major upgrades will help secure Hamilton's environmental future and ultimately, the future of our country."

Upgrades to the Woodward Wastewater Treatment Plant include: increasing the level of wastewater treatment; a new chlorine contact tank; new tertiary effluent outfall and upgrades to the Red Hill Creek, such as widening the creek to accommodate increased flows and works to mitigate erosion; and upgrades to the power supply, electrical distribution system and standby power.

The total cost for this project is estimated to be approximately $456 million. Canada and Ontario are contributing a joint investment of $200 million through the Green Infrastructure Fund. The City of Hamilton will provide the balance of funding.

Canada's Economic Action Plan has accelerated and expanded the existing $33-billion federal investment in infrastructure with almost $12 billion in new infrastructure funding across Canada over two years.

The Province of Ontario's contribution comes from the 2009 provincial budget, Confronting the Challenge: Building Our Economic Future. Ontario's two-year, $32.5-billon infrastructure investment will support more than 300,000 jobs and strengthen Ontario's economy.

To date, the Governments of Canada and Ontario have announced close to $11 billion in joint funding for more than 2,600 infrastructure projects across the province to stimulate the economy and create jobs

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