The governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island today announced an investment in municipal infrastructure planning for the City of Charlottetown.
Through the Capacity Building Fund, a component of the Canada-PEI Gas Tax Fund Agreement, the investment will help the City of Charlottetown meet the current and future water needs of the Charlottetown Area.
The city has received $169,588 from the Gas Tax Fund towards a $254,370 project to assist in a groundwater exploration. This project will test a recommended future water site for the availability of an adequate quantity and quality of water supply to support the city’s need.
“Public infrastructure that ensures we can draw clean water from our kitchen taps, is fundamental for communities here in Prince Edward Island and across Canada,” said MP Gerald Keddy, Parliamentary Secretary for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “The funding announced today for a groundwater exploration in Charlottetown will ensure that PEI continues to prosper.”
“Water supply and demand are key elements to municipal growth in areas like the City of Charlottetown,” said Carolyn Bertram, Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour. “The funding will help the City to move forward on planning and research that will provide long-term benefits to Charlottetown residents, now and into the future.”
“The City of Charlottetown is in the process of planning for its future sustainability of its water supply,” said Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee. “This contribution by the federal and provincial governments will play a significant role in allowing the City of Charlottetown to take the first step in this major project by identifying the source of our future water needs.”
The Capacity Building Fund is an important component of the Gas Tax Fund as it helps municipalities in establishing long-term sustainability by developing and implementing projects such as the creation of integrated community sustainability plans, land use assessment, employee resource development and feasibility studies for municipality-wide services.
The Gas Tax Fund is available to local governments for environmentally sustainable projects that lead to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, cleaner air or cleaner water. The Gas Tax Fund agreement is administered in Prince Edward Island by the PEI Department of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour. Representatives from the Federation of PEI Municipalities preside as members on the agreement management committee.
Through its unprecedented $33 billion Building Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is working along side of the Province of PEI to provide long-term, stable and predictable funding including the Gas Tax Fund to help meet infrastructure needs across Canada. Building Canada supports a stronger, safer and better country.
For more information about federal and provincial infrastructure initiatives on Prince Edward Island, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca or www.gov.pe.ca/go/infrastructure.