The Canada-Prince Edward Island Infrastructure Program has committed funding toward an emergency project recently completed in the Town of Stratford, which restored access to clean drinking water to 81 homes by connecting them to the municipal water system. The project, which involved the installation of water mains in the areas of Rowan Court and Marion, Harbourview, Southport, Sunnyside and Bayside drives, will receive $375,000 under the infrastructure program, cost-shared equally by the federal and provincial governments and the Town of Stratford.

This important investment in "green" community infrastructure was announced today by Mr. Shawn Murphy, Member of Parliament for Hillsborough, on behalf of the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA); the Honourable Patricia Mella, Provincial Treasurer and MLA for Glen Stewart- Bellevue Cove, on behalf of the Honourable Elmer MacFadyen, Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs for PEI; and Mr. Mike Farmer, Mayor of the Town of Stratford.

"Stratford had to act quickly to resolve the water contamination issue in the Sunnyside Drive area, and the Government of Canada is pleased to support the town in addressing the basic infrastructure needs of its residents," said Mr. Murphy. "In making water and wastewater projects the top priority under the infrastructure program, the Government of Canada is investing in a safe and healthy environment for all Islanders."

"Last summer, the residents of Stratford were faced with a serious water problem. Through the Canada-Prince Edward Island Infrastructure Program, we were able to access funds to meet the water issues affecting our residents," said Minister Mella. "The Government of Prince Edward Island places the highest priority on the basic health and safety needs of Islanders and through the Infrastructure Program, and other initiatives, we are working to continue to meet the needs of Islanders."

During the summer of 2002, the testing of residential water supplies in the Sunnyside Drive area of Stratford confirmed coliform and e-coli contamination, forcing residents to boil their water before using it. The Town of Stratford submitted an application for emergency funding to the Canada-PEI Infrastructure Program before proceeding to install water mains to connect the affected households to the municipal water service (who had been depending on private wells for their water supply).

"We appreciate the support of the Federal and Provincial governments in bringing the most basic necessity of safe, clean drinking water to our residents," said Mayor Farmer.

The Canada-Prince Edward Island Infrastructure Program's first priority is green municipal infrastructure to ensure effective wastewater management systems and safe drinking water. This project in Stratford will support the program in achieving the goal of investing a minimum of 60 per cent of program funds in green community infrastructure projects across the province.

The Canada-Prince Edward Island Infrastructure Program provides up to two-thirds of the eligible costs of community infrastructure projects. Communities provide the remaining one-third of project costs, making the program a unique partnership among all three levels of government, with infrastructure investments of more than $38 million in PEI over five years.

The program is administered by ACOA and the P.E.I. Department of Community and Cultural Affairs.

Corey Hobbs						
Office of the Minister of State for ACOA		
(613) 941-7241
							
Danielle Gauthier					
ACOA PEI and Tourism
(902) 566-7569				
 
Jennifer Cormier
Community and Cultural Affairs
(902) 368-5829

Robert Hughes, P.Eng.
Chief Administrative Officer
Town of Stratford
(902) 569-6251