Penetanguishene, Ontario — Bruce Stanton, Member of Parliament for Simcoe North, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced the Government of Canada will consider the construction of a water treatment facility to expand the water treatment system in Penetanguishene as a priority for up to $1.367 million in federal infrastructure funding.

The federal contribution would be up to one-third of total eligible costs. The total estimated cost of the project is $4.18 million.

“Maintaining a healthy and sustainable environment is directly related to the health and prosperity of communities and their residents, and is a priority for the Government of Canada,” said MP Stanton. “Supporting the construction of a water treatment facility to expand the water treatment system is one of the ways we will deliver results in this priority area.”

“There is nothing more important to any community than safe, clean, drinking water,” said Anita Dubeau, Mayor of Penetanguishene. “We had applied for infrastructure funding, but had almost given up hope. This announcement of priority funding from the federal government is a great gift to the people of Penetanguishene.”  

The project involves the installation of a Packed Tower Aeration (PTA) system to treat the contaminated water at the Robert Street Well Field and reconnect the field to the town’s water supply system.  This upgrade will improve the water quality and supply for the Town of Penetanguishene.

Funding for this project comes from the $200 million announced in February 2007, to top up the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) nation-wide. The Government of Canada is directing $64 million in funding to existing clean water applications under MRIF in Ontario.

Federal financial support for the project is conditional on the initiative meeting all applicable eligibility requirements and other program criteria to be approved by Treasury Board, a federal review of the project, the successful completion of an environmental assessment, assurance by the municipality that the remaining project costs have been fully financed and accounted for, and the signing of a contribution agreement for the project detailing the project elements and any other federal requirements.