Residents of Alma are seeing an increase in funding for their municipal water and wastewater services through the injection of an additional $1,051,872 investment under the Canada – New Brunswick Infrastructure Program.

The announcement was made today by Dominic LeBlanc, MP for Beauséjour-Petitcodiac; the Honourable Wayne Steeves, Minister of Public Safety; and Deputy Mayor Allan Steeves.

“Green municipal infrastructure projects are a first priority for the federal government as they constitute the basics of clean water and air. This is a necessity to maintain and improve the quality of life of all Canadians across the country,” said LeBlanc. “The recent Speech from the Throne reaffirmed the Government of Canada’s commitment to Infrastructure and the environment through the promising New Deal for Municipalities as well as a renewed focus on sustainable development. Like Alma, we believe other New Brunswick communities will benefit from this commitment for years to come.”

“I am pleased to see that the green focus of the infrastructure program continues to improve our environment for future generations of New Brunswickers,” said Steeves. “Investing in green infrastructure addresses not only environmental concerns, but public safety issues as well. This project responds to a local infrastructure need identified by the Village of Alma, and will help provide basic services necessary to support economic growth in the town.”

"On behalf of the Village of Alma, I am delighted today to receive the additional funding ensuring that the water and wastewater project will see completion. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the federal and provincial government officials for their participation and their financial support for a combined amount of $702,000.00 for a total project of $1.053 million,” said Deputy Mayor Steeves. “This program will supply clean, safe water and sanitary sewers to most residents and businesses in Alma and will provide a major enhancement to the economic potential for our community and surrounding area."

The project involves the location and development of a new water supply, installation of watermains, construction of a new wastewater treatment facility, installation of new sewer mains and purchase and installation of associated equipment. The project scope has not changed from the original project announcement in February of 2003. This amendment reflects higher than anticipated costs.

To date, 78 projects have been announced in New Brunswick under the Infrastructure Program, for a total funding of over $135 million.

In New Brunswick, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is responsible for the implementation of the Canada-New Brunswick Infrastructure Program, while the Department of the Environment and Local Government, in conjunction with the Regional Development Corporation, are the provincial jurisdictions responsible for the implementation of the agreement. Each of the three funding partners will contribute one third of the eligible costs of the projects.

More information on the Canada – New Brunswick Infrastructure Program is available online at: Infrastructure Canada: http://www.infrastructurecanada.gc.ca; Canada-New Brunswick Infrastructure Program,http://www.gnb.ca/elg- egl/0376/0001/index-f.html.

Stephen Heckbert
Office of Minister of ACOA
(613) 948-7293

Paul LeBlanc
Senior Communications Officer 
ACOA 
(506) 452-3310

Christelle Léger 
Communications Officer
Environment and Local Government
(506) 453-6703