Water and sewer expenditures highlight capital works programs

Today, the Department of Municipal Affairs announced $70 million in anticipated expenditures on capital works for the remainder of the construction season. This funding is in addition to $19 million committed and tendered by the department in recent months.

"Infrastructure investments are a core component of community sustainability and economic development," says Municipal Affairs Minister Jack Byrne. "Strategic spending on capital works programs demonstrate government�s dedication to fostering and supporting long-term economic growth and the strengthening of services for communities across the province."

This expenditure is consistent with the provincial government�s comprehensive Infrastructure Strategy, which will see $2 billion invested in infrastructure over the next 6 years. The projects include:

These expenditures are drawn from five separate cost-shared programs designed to provide financial assistance to improve infrastructure for municipalities across Newfoundland and Labrador. These include the Municipal Capital Works Program, Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangement and the 2006 portion of the Multi-Year Capital Works Program committed in 2005 for 3 years. Federal contributions through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund and the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Infrastructure Program are subject to federal approval.

"We feel this is a considerable step in achieving sustainable infrastructure," said Minister Byrne, "Each of these investments will be a welcome addition to our overall strategy to supply municipalities and regions around the province with the infrastructure improvements they need to sustain their community, economy and people."

Media contact: John Tompkins, Communications (709) 729-1983, 690-2498, jtompkins@gov.nl.ca

2006 07 27                                        10:55 a.m.