THUNDER BAY – “Green infrastructure such as clean drinking water infrastructure, renewable energy and waste management infrastructure, as well as connectivity and broadband infrastructure are critical to providing sustainable, livable communities. We are committed to maintain, restore and build public infrastructure for the 21st century. The Government of Canada is proud to invest in these 13 infrastructure projects, they will have a positive and lasting impact on the quality of life for the people in these communities,” stated Thunder Bay Superior North MP Patricia A. Hajdu, Federal Minister of Status of Women.
Thirteen small communities with over $10 million to build and repair critical infrastructure and help create jobs across the province through the Small Communities Fund.
Patricia A. Hadju, Federal Minister of Status of Women and Michael Gravelle, Ontario Minister of Northern Development and Mines, were in Thunder Bay today to announce the funding for infrastructure projects, including improving waste management and water treatment facilities, increasing access to broadband and adopting solar-powered energy solutions.
Ontario and the federal government are each providing over $5 million for the 13 projects, with the communities responsible for the remainder.
Ontario is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in the province’s history — about $160 billion over 12 years, which is supporting 110,000 jobs every year across the province, with projects such as roads, bridges, transit systems, schools and hospitals. In 2015, the province announced support for more than 325 projects that will keep people and goods moving, connect communities and improve quality of life.
“Building modern, efficient infrastructure today will help Ontario communities grow for the future. Through the Small Communities Fund, the Governments of Canada and Ontario are helping 13 communities from across Ontario improve drinking water infrastructure, waste management, broadband access and other critical public infrastructure,” commented Bill Mauro, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, the MPP for Thunder Bay Atikokan.
“Investing in infrastructure is absolutely critical to promoting long-term, sustainable economic growth in Ontario’s northern communities. Thanks to joint funding from the Governments of Canada and Ontario, 13 communities can undertake important work to improve local drinking water, waste management and other critical infrastructure,” added Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines and MPP for Thunder Bay Superior North.
| Recipient | Project Description | Provincial
Contribution |
Federal
Contribution |
| Dubreuilville Township | Constructing a new municipal landfill site to facilitate the disposal of non-hazardous residential, commercial and industrial waste to help mitigate the environmental impact on the local community. | $255,133 | $255,133 |
| Fauquier-Strickland Township | Upgrading the existing piping process and updating the electrical, heating, ventilation and plumbing systems to improve the local community’s drinking water. | $878,578 | $878,578 |
| Municipality of French River | Constructing a storm water management pond and installing a litter fence and automated gate systems to reduce the risk of flooding. | $250,328 | $250,328 |
| Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation | Installing a new solar-powered electric microgrid that will reduce the local community’s reliance on diesel and help lower greenhouse gas emissions. | $260,662 | $260,662 |
| Mississauga First Nation | Constructing a transfer station to temporarily hold waste slated for disposal or recycling. Once completed, the local community will benefit from a more cost-effective waste disposal system that will meet its needs over the next 20 years. | $273,750 | $273,750 |
| Taykwa Tagamou Nation | Installing a new solar-powered electric micro-grid, and adopting energy conservation measures that use solar modules, oil-powered generators and batteries, to provide the local community with cost-effective power. | $684,238 | $684,238 |
| Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve | Installing a new solar-powered electric micro-grid that will provide cost-effective power to over 50 local homes and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. | $814,568 | $814,568 |
| Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation | Installing a galvanized steel roof on a local outdoor hockey rink, equipped with a solar grid system and LED lighting, to help generate solar energy. | $132,000 | $132,000 |
| Burpee and Mills Township | Installing a solar-powered heating system in a municipal garage. Once completed, this new clean-energy technology will help generate cleaner electricity that will improve the local community’s environment and health. | $11,753 | $11,753 |
| Oneida Nation of the Thames | Installing a new solar-powered electric microgrid that will provide cost-effective power for local community housing and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. | $814,568 | $814,568 |
| Serpent River First Nation | Installing additional fiber optic cable to provide 370 local community members with broadband internet access. | $122,112 | $122,112 |
| Municipality of Killarney | Expanding a local landfill site and installing a new system to collect and treat environmentally harmful liquids. These upgrades will help mitigate waste disposal-related environmental impacts. | $276,512 | $276,512 |
| The North Shore Township | De-commissioning an over-capacitated local landfill site to improve solid waste disposal in the local community. | $292,125 | $292,125 |
