MP Gallant Announces Municipal Infrastructure Funding, Thanks Local Councillors for their Support

March 14, 2008

Ottawa, Ontario - Cheryl Gallant, MP is pleased to thank Municipal councillors for their support in passing resolutions asking the Provincial Government to co-operate with the Federal Government to assist Municipalities with their infrastructure funding needs. Tired of waiting for the province, MP Cheryl Gallant is pleased to confirm that the Township of Bonnechere Valley, the Town of Laurentian Hills and the Township of Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards will receive funding from the Federal Government to assist them in compliance with mandated changes to Ontario drinking water regulations.

“The decision to send out a resolution to councils was an initiative I took as the MP for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke. I know the crisis in finding the funds to pay for basic repairs that our local municipalities are faced with. I have since learned that after 6 months, the Province of Ontario has finally responded to our request to get infrastructure dollars flowing to municipalities.”

“I have no doubt that it was pressure from our local municipal leaders that finally forced the province to respond,” stated Cheryl Gallant, MP. “It is important to keep up the pressure on the province to take the final step and sign an agreement like every other province and territory in Canada. If a council has not already passed a resolution, I encourage it to do so.”

Under the Ontario Potable Water Program, the Town of Laurentian Hills has been recommended to receive a grant of $257,743.00. The Township of Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards has been recommended for a grant of $21,823.00 and the Township of Bonnechere Valley has been recommended to receive a grant of $12,180.00 These funds are to offset funding pressures that resulted when the province of Ontario mandated changes to Ontario drinking water regulations after work had been started by these municipalities.

“I would like to be able to make many more of these funding announcements on behalf of all our municipalities. Every other province in Canada has signed a Framework Agreement with the Federal Government. In the other provinces major construction has commenced through the Federal Government’s 33 Billion dollar ‘Building Canada’ fund, the largest federal commitment to public infrastructure in 50 years. Businesses and individuals tell me how important projects like the twinning of highway 17 are to the long-term future prosperity of Renfrew County. It would a shame if petty, partisan politics on the part of the liberal party and their supporters in Toronto mean our municipalities are penalized,” concluded MP Cheryl Gallant.