Residents of the Brighton area in Charlottetown can look forward to significant environmental upgrades through the development of an initiative to provide sanitary and storm system separation. This initiative is funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Prince Edward Island and the City of Charlottetown through the Canada-Prince Edward Island Infrastructure Program. This project, which will separate the combined sewer system for some 400 residences in the Brighton area, involves the installation of 8,500 metres of sewer mains including 100 manholes, sewer lateral to 400 properties and road and sidewalk reinstatement. The project will receive $4 million under the infrastructure program, cost-shared by the federal and provincial governments and the City of Charlottetown.
This important investment in "green" municipal infrastructure was announced today by the Honourable Shawn Murphy, Member of Parliament for Hillsborough, on behalf of the Honourable Joe McGuire, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA); the Honourable Elmer MacFadyen, Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs for PEI; and His Worship George MacDonald, Mayor of the City of Charlottetown.
"In February 2003, the Government of Canada announced a major investment under the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund to upgrade Charlottetown's wastewater treatment plant. Today's announcement will further enhance the city's ability to support long-term growth and a clean environment," said Mr. Murphy. "This project will support the City of Charlottetown as it strives to create a balance between urban development and long-term environmental sustainability."
"For many years, this growing community has been challenged with sanitary and storm systems which cannot adequately meet the needs of residents. This initiative is an important step forward in providing opportunities for growth and development while meeting the basic health and safety needs of residents," said Minister MacFadyen. "The protection and enhancement of our environment is a priority for the Government of Prince Edward Island. Our government is pleased to be a partner in this $ 4 million initiative through an investment of more than $1.6 million."
"I am extremely pleased that this important infrastructure project has been approved and am very grateful to our federal and provincial partners for their contributions," said Mayor MacDonald. "Along with the construction of Charlottetown's new wastewater treatment plant to move ahead in the spring, this work in Brighton will improve the quality of life of our residents and protect our environment for generations to come."
This project, put forward as the City of Charlottetown's first priority, will improve the municipal wastewater collection and treatment to meet the Province's aggressive environmental standards.
The Canada-Prince Edward Island Infrastructure Program's first priority is green municipal infrastructure to ensure effective wastewater management systems and safe drinking water. This project in Brighton will support the program in achieving the goal of investing a minimum of 60 per cent of program funds in green community infrastructure projects across the province.
The Canada-Prince Edward Island Infrastructure Program provides up to two-thirds of the eligible costs of community infrastructure projects. Communities provide the remaining one-third of project costs, making the program a unique partnership among all three levels of government, with infrastructure investments of more than $38 million in PEI over five years.
The program is administered by ACOA and PEI's Department of Community and Cultural Affairs.