Canada and Ontario Invest Over $29 Million in 19 Green Infrastructure Projects

Canada and Ontario Invest Over $29 Million in 19 Green Infrastructure Projects

July 05, 2021

Infrastructure


UXBRIDGE — Across the country, Canadians are feeling the impacts of COVID-19 on their families, their livelihoods, and their way of life. Together, the governments of Canada and Ontario are taking decisive action to support families, businesses and communities to ensure community infrastructure is safe and reliable, while looking ahead to see what more can be done in these unprecedented times.

Today, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Jennifer O’Connell, Member of Parliament for Pickering–Uxbridge; the Honourable Kinga Surma, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure; and His Worship Dave Barton, Mayor of the Township of Uxbridge, announced joint funding for 19 green infrastructure projects across Ontario.

The Government of Canada is investing over $16 million in these projects through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan. The Government of Ontario is providing over $13 million, and municipalities are contributing over $14 million to their respective projects.

Among the projects announced is the rehabilitation and upgrade of the Forsythe West Stormwater Management Facility in Uxbridge. The existing stormwater pond will be modified to increase stormwater management capacity. This includes installing stormwater storage and infiltration tanks, new concrete pipes, maintenance holes, and new headwalls to direct water flow and protect roads and embankments from erosion.

In Larder Lake, funding will support Phase 2 of the Larder Lake Road reconstruction project. The project includes replacing all damaged watermains, sections of sanitary sewer, repairing maintenance holes, and completing the rehabilitation of degraded infrastructure along 1.7 kilometres of Larder Lake Road. This project will help improve the quality of life in rural Larder Lake by eliminating health risks and preventing hazardous conditions that could impact the community and the environment.

The project in Laurentian Hills will see upgrades to its wastewater treatment facility. Work includes the replacement of the sewage, clarifier and aeration equipment, and the relining of the grit channel. New components will also be added to the facility including SCADA systems, a chlorine contact chamber, flocculants and coagulants, and additional sludge holding capacity. Once completed, this project will help reduce the discharge of untreated sewage, reduce phosphorous levels into the receiving stream, and allow the plant to operate more efficiently.

Additional investments in other green infrastructure projects across Ontario include upgrades to drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater facilities and infrastructure, the replacement of old pipes, in addition to road, curbs, and sidewalk upgrades, and other improvements to existing water distribution systems.

All orders of government continue to work together for the people of Ontario to make strategic infrastructure investments in communities across the province when needed most.


Quick Facts

  • Through the Investing in Canada plan, the Government of Canada is investing 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.
  • Across Ontario, the Government of Canada has invested more than $14.1 billion in over 3,300 infrastructure projects.
  • Across Canada, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic the Government of Canada has contributed $9.7 billion to 3,500 infrastructure projects.
  • Ontario is investing over $10.2 billion under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to improve public transit; community, culture and recreation; green, and rural and northern community and other priority infrastructure.
  • Ontario is investing more than $40 million and Canada is investing more than $100 million under the first intake of the Green Infrastructure Stream.

Quotes

“Green infrastructure, especially water infrastructure, is vital for community well-being and safety. Today’s investment in 19 green infrastructure projects across Ontario will support better water management systems, increase protection from flooding and other environmental threats, and help create more sustainable and modern water infrastructure for thousands of residents. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities.”

– The Honourable Catherine McKenna
Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“Investments in essential public infrastructure are vital to building healthy and resilient communities. Funding announced today for Uxbridge ensures that residents across the municipality have efficient and safe water infrastructure that provides clean drinking water, better stormwater management, and better protection from inclement weather events. ”

– Jennifer O’Connell
Member of Parliament for Pickering–Uxbridge

“The Government of Ontario is taking action to improve the quality of water and wastewater infrastructure in communities across the province. Today’s investment in 19 green infrastructure projects will make local water infrastructure more reliable for all Ontarians and will help support our health and safety in these communities.”

– The Honourable Kinga Surma
Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure

“We continue to prioritize strategic investments like the rehabilitation and upgrade of the Forsythe West Stormwater Management Facility to ensure the safety and well-being of the community for years to come. I will continue to work closely with our municipal partners to provide them with the tools and resources they need to help keep our communities safe and functioning.”

– Peter Bethlenfalvy
Member of Provincial Parliament for Pickering-Uxbridge

“The Township is very grateful to be able to partner with Industry Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure to retrofit the Forsythe West storm water pond. This pond is adjacent to the popular South Balsam trail and, due to age, the pond is no longer as efficient in protecting our watershed as it once was. This project will replace the pond with a more efficient filtration system which will require less maintenance over time and remain effective over a longer lifespan. We could not do this important work without this funding. Thank you to MP Jennifer O’Connell and MPP Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy for continuing to support Township of Uxbridge communities.”

– His Worship Dave Barton
Mayor of the Township of Uxbridge