New Maryland and Oromocto First Nation residents to benefit from public infrastructure projects

NEW MARYLAND, NB, Jan. 11, 2018 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and New Brunswick are working together to provide residents and businesses with modern, reliable and sustainable public infrastructure that will help safeguard public health and improve the quality of life for New Brunswickers.

Today, Matt DeCourcey, Member of Parliament for Fredericton, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Stephen Horsman, New Brunswick Deputy Premier and Minister of Families and Children; Her Worship Judy E. Wilson-Shee, Mayor of New Maryland; and Shelley Sabattis, Chief of Oromocto First Nation, announced over $1.1 million in funding for two new infrastructure projects that will benefit the people living in New Maryland and Oromocto First Nation.

In New Maryland, the funding will be used to extend the watermain and storm sewer as well as rehabilitate the existing sanitary sewer on Daniel Drive. The project also involves resurfacing the roadway and installing new curbs and sidewalks. The upgrades will ensure residents continue to have access to high quality drinking water and an efficient, reliable sewer system.

The second project involves the installation of solar thermal heating units on band owned buildings throughout the Oromocto First Nation community. Not only will the new equipment increase the energy efficiency of their existing facilities, it will also reduce the community's operating costs.

Once completed, the two projects will help ensure New Maryland and Oromocto First Nation remain vibrant and healthy communities where people want to live, work and play.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is working in close partnership with the province of New Brunswick to ensure we make smart infrastructure investments that help grow the middle class, promote sustainable development and increase public health. By supporting the development of important public infrastructure, like the projects announced today, we help create increased opportunities for Oromocto First Nation and New Maryland residents."

Matt DeCourcey, Member of Parliament for Fredericton, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"The provincial government knows that targeting smart infrastructure investments will help produce long-term prosperity and strengthen communities, which will have a lasting positive impact on the quality of life of all residents. These investments will allow the residents to have a better quality of life and will enable staff to be more effective in the delivery of services."

The Honourable Stephen Horsman, Deputy Premier of New Brunswick and Minister of Families and Children

"The Village of New Maryland appreciates the cooperation between the 3 levels of government to provide funding for this project. The Daniel Drive Project will address an issue of basements flooding that some of our residents have dealt with, and will also improve the safety of the walking and biking public as currently no sidewalk exists and there is limited roadway shoulder in this area. The partnership with the federal and provincial governments is necessary in order for our municipality to undertake projects of this value and we look forward to continuing to work closely with our colleagues on this, and future, projects."

Her Worship Judy E. Wilson-Shee, Mayor of New Maryland

"Strong local economies have been the hallmark of First Nations communities for millennia and through projects such as the development of solar energy we can return to strengthening our local economy, create local jobs for our members and experience the benefits of this project locally. The future of our communities depends upon our ability to create and reap the benefits of local jobs and keep the benefits in our communities. This solar project is one small step towards self-sustainability, strengthening our community through our own efforts and creating a better future for our youth."

Shelley Sabattis, Chief of Oromocto First Nation

Quick facts

• The Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit, green, social, trade and transportation, and rural and northern communities' infrastructure.
• 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.
• The governments of Canada and New Brunswick are each contributing $215,175 through the Small Communities Fund for the Daniel Drive improvement project in New Maryland. The Village will provide $215,177 bringing the total municipal-provincial-federal investment to $645,527.
• The governments of Canada and New Brunswick are each contributing $166,666 through the Small Communities Fund for the Oromocto First Nation solar heating project. The Town will provide $166,668 bringing the total municipal-provincial-federal investment to $500,000.

Associated links

Government of Canada's $180-billion+ Investing in Canada plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/about-invest-apropos-eng.html

*New* ? Investing in Canada plan project map: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html

Federal infrastructure investments in New Brunswick: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/nb-eng.html

Smart Cities Challenge: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/cities-villes-eng.html

Atlantic Growth Strategy: http://www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca/ags-sca/Eng/atlantic-growth.html

Twitter: @INFC_eng

Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada