The governments of Canada and Quebec will provide $62 million to fund 36 projects to improve water infrastructure in the Chaudiere-Appalaches region, investing in projects to ensure that water and wastewater systems in the province are up to date, efficient, and meet communities’ increasing capacity needs. These investments will also help create jobs and grow the economy.
Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Member of Parliament for Québec, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, and Dominique Vien, Minister responsible for Labour, Minister responsible for the Chaudière-Appalaches region, and Member of the National Assembly for Bellechasse, on behalf of Martin Coiteux, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, Minister of Public Security, and Minister responsible for the Montreal region, announced an the investment of more than $62.3 million for 36 water projects in the Chaudière-Appalaches region under the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund and the New Building Canada Fund-Quebec, Small Communities Fund. The representatives were joined by Denise Dulac, Mayor of Sainte-Claire, for the announcement.
“These vital investments in the Chaudière-Appalaches region’s water infrastructure reflect the Government of Canada’s commitment to ensuring access to sustainable and adequate services for Canadians for years to come. We will continue working in close collaboration with our partners to ensure we make smart infrastructure investments that help protect the environment and preserve public health, while paving the way for economic development,” said Minister Duclos.
The financial support granted to 30 municipalities in the region will contribute to maintaining, renewing or developing their infrastructure to ensure the production and distribution of high quality drinking water for residents or the proper disposal and treatment of waste water. The Government of Canada is investing more than $37.3 million in these projects and the Government of Quebec is providing more than $24.9 million for a total joint contribution of over $62.3 million. The municipalities will provide the remainder of the funding.
Minister Vien said, “Thanks to this important investment, 30 municipalities in the Chaudière-Appalaches region will be able to complete projects that meet their needs related to drinking water and wastewater treatment infrastructure. The financial support announced today clearly shows how working in partnership is improving the quality of life of our fellow citizens.”
The approval of the projects under the CWWF was made possible by the signing of a bilateral agreement between Canada and Quebec in July 2016, which made funding available for water projects across the province.
