Residents of the Antigonish area will be seeing extensive upgrades to their water services due to two projects funded through the Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program.

Joint federal and provincial funding in the amount of $3,616,666 was announced today by the Honourable Robert Thibault, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and by the Honourable Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations.

"Building strong communities and improving quality of life is a priority for the Government of Canada," said Minister Thibault. "The Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program is one of the ways in which we are investing in `green' projects like the James River water treatment upgrade, and the Pomquet sewer upgrade, that are designed to improve our environment and provide safe, high quality water systems."

Green municipal infrastructure to ensure effective wastewater management and safe drinking water is the first priority under the Program. The majority of the federal and provincial funding announced in year one is directed to green projects.

"There's no question that the town and municipality of Antigonish need these projects," said Mr. MacIsaac. "Our communities deserve it. The water and wastewater projects will have a substantial long-term impact on our communities."

The $4,450,000 James River project involves the construction of a new water treatment facility to serve the area population of 13,000. The current 20-year old system will be replaced by a new facility capable of addressing the needs of this community and meeting today's drinking water standards. The project represents an important step in planning for the significant growth expected in the Antigonish area. The federal and provincial funding under the Program is subject to the formal acceptance of the Town of Antigonish, which will fund the balance of the project.

"We are extremely pleased to be able to make this important announcement today," said Kathleen Chisholm, Mayor of the Town of Antigonish. "This forward-looking project is an instrumental step in addressing the water needs of our growing community."

The $975,000 Pomquet sewer project involves the design and construction of a wastewater collection, conveyance and treatment system to address the need for efficient on-site sewage disposal for residents of the community. The project is the result of a study conducted by the municipality, and is expected to greatly enhance the quality of the local environment while also supporting community growth. The federal and provincial funding under the Program is subject to the formal acceptance of the Municipality of Antigonish, which will fund the balance of the project.

"Eighty percent of Pomquet residents told us they were in need of a safer, more efficient wastewater system. Today, through the cooperative workings of the Infrastructure Program, I'm pleased to announce that we are addressing those needs," said Hebert J. Delorey, Warden of the Municipality of the County of Antigonish.

To date, 59 projects have been approved during year one of the program, representing an investment of more than $76 million. Additional announcements are expected as projects undergo environmental assessment and final approval.

The $195 million, six-year Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program is administered by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation is a member of the management committee. The Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities is represented on the Program's management committee.

Ralph Meechan
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Gerry Byrne

613-941-7241

Deborah Bayer
Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Secretariat
902-424-0112

Kathleen Chisholm
Mayor, Town of Antigonish
902-863-2351

Hebert J. Delorey
Warden, Municipality of the County of Antigonish
902-863-1117