The communities of Norris Arm and Port au Port East have improved their municipal water and sewer systems, thanks to a combined federal, provincial and municipal contributions of $448, 310 through the Canada/Newfoundland and Labrador Infrastructure Program.

The announcement was made today by the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador, on behalf of the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and the Honourable Jack Byrne, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

"Canada�s New Government is working with our municipalities to help them to improve their water systems and sewage infrastructure," said Minister Hearn. "Helping municipalities improve their infrastructure has a direct impact on quality of life for families, and our government has been pleased to help support these projects."

"It is vital that we continue to invest in our communities and ensure that services are reliable," stated Minister Byrne. "These initiatives will modernize aging systems, secure water and sewer services and ensure that residents have efficient infrastructure in place."

The $350,538 contribution to Port au Port East has been used to upgrade the municipal water system to include installation of 1,468 metres of watermain which will improve capacity to the town. The federal government provided $116,846 for the project, with the provincial government providing $188,122. The municipal share was $45,570.

The Town of Norris Arm received $60,767 to upgrade a sewage lift station to improve reliability and address the problem of flooding and overflowing. The federal government provided $20,255 for the Norris Arm project, with the provincial government providing $28,561. The municipal share was $11,951.

"Through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Infrastructure Program, $156 million has been invested in improving water and sewer services, and drinking water quality in the province over the past five years," added Minister Byrne. "The partnerships with the federal government and municipalities to invest in our communities has strengthened communities, and provided opportunity for future development."

Funding was made available through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Infrastructure Program. The program is administered provincially by the Department of Municipal Affairs, federally by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and is cost-shared with municipalities.

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2007 02 22                                                    10:10 a.m.