Four projects from Charlottetown and Stratford with a total cost of $17.9 million have been announced under the first round of the Canada-Prince Edward Island Infrastructure Program.
"The Infrastructure Program allows the Government of Canada to work cooperatively with the provincial and municipal governments to support projects that will improve the environment and enhance our quality of life," said Shawn Murphy, Member of Parliament for Hillsborough on behalf of the Honourable Robert Thibault, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).
A $7 million phase-one expansion to the City of Charlottetown's waste treatment plant supports the program's main priority which is to improve green municipal infrastructure. When complete, the project will result in an expanded plant capacity as well as secondary treatment of the effluent. The federal and provincial governments have committed to working closely with the municipality to look at further funding in the future.
Other green projects include a $777,000 expansion to extend the Town of Stratford's sewer system to include Eastern Realties. The federal and provincial governments will be contributing to the Confederation Centre of the Arts to assist in the removal of its underground oil storage tanks.
A total of $2 million will be contributed to the $10.1 million Charlottetown Aquatics and Recreation Centre project. It is a project that reflects the other priorities of the infrastructure program which include cultural and recreational facilities, infrastructure that will support tourism, local transportation and affordable housing.
"Cultural and recreational projects represent secondary priorities of the infrastructure program, and I am pleased that we have been able to assist a number of these projects across the province," says Minister Shea. "These facilities play a key role in the overall well-being of Islanders thus contributing to our health and safety."
A total of 56 projects representing urban and rural communities across the province have been announced. During the five-year infrastructure program, the Government of Canada and the Government of Prince Edward Island will each contribute $12.8 million. The total minimum funding from local governments must equal this amount. Under the first round, the federal and provincial governments have committed two-thirds of available funds. Other projects will be considered in the future.
The Canada-Prince Edward Island Infrastructure Program is administered by ACOA and the PEI Department of Community and Cultural Affairs. The Federation of PEI Municipalities is represented on the program's management committee.
Environmental assessments have been completed on 53 of the 56 projects. Final approval on the three remaining projects will not be granted until the environmental assessments are complete.