Thanks to a shared investment of more than $8 million by the federal, provincial and municipal governments, eight communities in Nova Scotia will soon benefit from safer drinking water and improved storm water systems.

The announcement was made today by the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the Honourable Karen Casey, Minister of Education, on behalf of the Honourable Jamie Muir, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations.

The projects in Digby, Hebron, Middle Musquodoboit, Cornwallis Park, Truro, Bible Hill, Kentville and surrounding areas will provide safer drinking water for those communities. The Town of Yarmouth project will improve the storm water system along Starrs Road. All projects must receive federal environmental assessment approval before construction begins.

 “The Government of Canada understands how important modern, efficient and secure infrastructure is to our country’s long-term prosperity,” said Minister MacKay. “Together with the provincial and municipal governments, we are making strategic investments in water and wastewater initiatives that provide communities across Nova Scotia with the tools they need to build a sustainable, competitive and diversified economy.”

 “Today’s announcement reflects our commitment to investing in infrastructure that helps build a stronger, more sustainable economy for Nova Scotia,” said Ms. Casey. “We are making infrastructure investments that will create real and lasting benefits to families and their communities.”

 “We are pleased to be a part of a successful partnership bringing much needed infrastructure investments to Nova Scotia communities,” said Robert Wrye, president of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities. “The projects being announced today are essential investments that will benefit the residents of eight Nova Scotia communities for many years to come.”

Today’s funding announcement of $8,725,590 is made possible through the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund and the Building Canada Fund Communities Component.

The Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund is a six-year, $133 million program that supports community infrastructure improvements, such as water, wastewater and solid waste management. The Building Canada Fund Communities Component is a $111 million investment in infrastructure projects in smaller, communities across Nova Scotia, between now and 2014.

 

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