News Release

WORKING TOGETHER TO IMPROVE WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND HALIFAX HARBOUR WATER QUALITY

HALIFAX REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY (Nova Scotia), March 19, 2004 - Residents of the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) will benefit from improved wastewater treatment and quality of water in the Halifax Harbour thanks to an enhanced partnership between the Government of Canada and HRM.

The Honourable Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, accompanied by His Worship, Mayor Peter J. Kelly, today announced that the Government of Canada will now invest $60 million toward wastewater treatment plants key to the Halifax Harbour Solutions Project. With an increase of $30 million in federal funding, HRM will now be able to invest in other components of the Project and extend its positive impact.

"Through this investment from the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, the Government of Canada demonstrates once again its commitment to improving the environment and the quality of life of all Canadians, including the people of HRM," said Minister Regan. "I want to acknowledge the role that the Regional Municipality and the Province of Nova Scotia have had in making this partnership such a success."

"This additional funding from the Canadian government now enables HRM to advance incremental and much needed wastewater projects to further protect our watersheds, and ultimately, achieve the water quality objectives for Halifax Harbour," said Mayor Kelly. "Implementation of these complementary projects will greatly enhance HRM's strategic efforts toward a "Healthy, Sustainable and Vibrant Community."

The Government of Canada's increased investment will support the construction of wastewater treatment plants in Herring Cove and Dartmouth. The $30 million already announced is for improvements to the sewage collection system and the design and construction of a sewage treatment plant in Halifax. The federal investment is coming from the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF).

The investment announced today will give HRM sufficient flexibility to improve other components of the Halifax Harbour Solutions Project, including a further reduction of combined sewer overflows into the Harbour and the phase out of the biosolids lagoon at Aerotech Park. The phase out of the lagoon will result in the elimination of methane gas discharged into the atmosphere.

Through the CSIF, the Government of Canada works with provincial, territorial and municipal governments, as well as with the private sector, to meet strategic infrastructure needs throughout the country. The CSIF supports large-scale strategic infrastructure projects that improve quality of life and further sustainable growth. The fund also supports the Government of Canada's 'new deal' for communities that will help make Canada a world leader in developing vibrant, creative and prosperous cities and communities. Since 1994, the Government of Canada has contributed $12 billion to over 20,000 infrastructure projects in Canada's communities. This has helped leverage over $30 billion from all partners.

For more information on the Government of Canada's infrastructure programs, please visit our Web site at www.infrastructure.gc.ca.

For more information about the Halifax Harbour Solutions Project, please visit www.halifax.ca/harboursol.

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