Communities in St. Clair and Wellington North to receive support for wastewater treatment upgrades from the Green Municipal Fund

ARTHUR, ON, Nov. 13, 2018 /CNW/ - Investing in green infrastructure helps to protect the environment, create a clean-growth economy, while ensuring that all Canadians have access to modern, reliable water and wastewater services that meet their needs.

Marco Mendicino, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, and Berry Vrbanovic, Green Municipal Fund Council member and Mayor of Kitchener, on behalf of Vicki-May Hamm, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, today announced over $7 million in grants and loans through the Green Municipal Fund to improve wastewater treatment plants in the Townships of Wellington North and St. Clair.

In the Township of Wellington North, the investment will be used to upgrade the current wastewater treatment plant in Arthur, Ontario, to service the growing population. These upgrades will also help improve the quality of wastewater released into the Conestogo River, significantly reducing the negative impact on the environment. In the Township of St. Clair, the project will include the installation of a new system at the Courtright wastewater treatment plant to improve odours and lower the plant's use of potable water, which will protect the environment.

Through these investments in green infrastructure, communities are not only improving the environment around them, but also maximizing municipal resources and improving the lives of their citizens.

The Green Municipal Fund is funded by the Government of Canada and delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is pleased to be partnering with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to support green infrastructure projects that will build healthier cleaner communities now and for future generations. Investments to upgrade the wastewater plants for the Townships of Wellington North and St. Clair will help to protect the local environment, while ensuring adequate wastewater treatment capacity for the communities. These kinds of projects protect our waterways and ecosystems, while keeping our communities sustainable and healthy."

Marco Mendicino, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Today's announcement highlights how municipal leaders understand both the needs on the ground and local solutions that work. They are innovating to build more sustainable, resilient and livable communities.  Thanks to our partnership with the Government of Canada, our programs support local solutions with national impact, contributing to infrastructure renewal and our transition to a low-carbon economy."

Berry Vrbanovic, Green Municipal Fund Council member and Mayor of Kitchener, on behalf of Vicki-May Hamm, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities

"Advancing sustainable and innovative solutions to environmental challenges is important as we move toward a low-carbon energy future. We are proud to work with municipalities on these two wastewater treatment plant projects that will help improve water and air quality in their communities, create good-quality jobs for Canadians and contribute to our overall climate goals."

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Natural Resources

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Backgrounder

Quick facts

• The Green Municipal Fund^TM (GMF) is a $625-million program to support innovative solutions to environmental challenges. Projects funded under the program improve air, water and land quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and generate economic and social benefits for local communities. Through GMF, municipalities share lessons learned and successful new models for advancing sustainability in communities of all sizes across Canada. GMF is delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and funded by the Government of Canada.
• Under GMF, the Township of St. Clair will receive up to $1,283,630 for the Courtright wastewater treatment plant project, and the Township of Wellington North will receive up to $5,750,000 for the Arthur wastewater treatment plant upgrade.
• Through the Investing in Canada plan, 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 available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

Associated links

Green Municipal Fund: https://fcm.ca/home/programs/green-municipal-fund/about-gmf.htm

FCM Funding: https://fcm.ca/home/funding/funding-for-canadian-municipalities.htm

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

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

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SOURCE Infrastructure Canada