Released on November 4, 2016
Having access to clean, reliable drinking water is critical to the health and prosperity of Canadian communities and for attracting economic opportunities for the middle class and those trying to join it. By ensuring that water and wastewater systems are modern, efficient and meet the capacity needs of our communities, we are safeguarding the well-being of residents, protecting our waterways and preserving our ecosystems.In Saskatchewan, new federal and provincial funding will be going toward a project in the City of Weyburn that includes the construction of a new reservoir, upgrades to existing water infrastructure, and improved treatment procedures to the city’s drinking water.
“The Government of Canada is committed to investing in modern infrastructure that meets the needs of our communities, supports the middle class, and ensures that Canada will remain the best place in the world to live, work and raise a family,” said Ralph Goodale ,Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness on behalf of Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “This important investment in Weyburn will ensure that thousands of residents will have access to safe and reliable drinking water, which is crucial to keeping our communities healthy and livable now and into the future.”
“Our government is pleased to partner with the federal government and the City of Weyburn on this important water project,” Energy and Resources Minister and Weyburn-Big Muddy MLA Dustin Duncan said on behalf of Government Relations Minister Donna Harpauer. “Our investment of more than $5.3 million is another example of the province’s commitment to keep Saskatchewan strong and make life better for our citizens.”
“The City of Weyburn would like to thank the federal and provincial governments for their support with this project,” Weyburn City Manager Robert (Bob) Smith said. “Over the last few years, a lot of work has gone into bringing this project forward by all parties involved including the City of Weyburn’s council and staff. We are well aware of the importance of effective water management on all levels. This investment in our infrastructure will allow us to deliver better and more stable service to Weyburn taxpayers and provide us with important capacity in our water system, setting the stage for our city’s future growth.”
New ultraviolet disinfection technology will be used to add another layer to the multi-barrier protection system that is already in place. In addition to providing safe and reliable potable water to residents, this project will also improve firefighting capabilities in the area. Also, the population of Weyburn is expected to nearly double within 30 years, and these improvements will increase the city’s capacity to provide potable water for both residents and new commercial and industrial development.
The governments of Canada and Saskatchewan are each contributing up to $5.3 million for this project through the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects. The City of Weyburn will be responsible for all remaining costs of the project, which has a total eligible cost of $15.9 million.
Associated links:
• Government of Canada’s $180-billion+ infrastructure plan: http://www.budget.gc.ca/fes-eea/2016/docs/themes/infrastructure-en.html
• Federal infrastructure investments in Saskatchewan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/sk-eng.html
• Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects (PTIC-NRP): http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nrp-pnr-prog-eng.html.
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For more information, contact:
Kathy Ward
Government Relations
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2687
Email: kathy.ward@gov.sk.ca
Brook Simpson
Government of Canada
Phone: 612-219-0149
Email: brook.simpson@canada.ca
Robert (Bob) Smith
City of Weyburn
Weyburn
Phone: 306-848-3209
Email: rsmith@weyburn.ca
Infrastructure Canada
Government of Canada
Phone: Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: infc.media-medias.infc@canada.ca