Premier Ball Announces 140 Municipal Infrastructure Projects
The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced that $123 million will be invested in 140 community infrastructure projects for all regions in the province through the federal Investing in Canada Plan.
Premier Ball was joined for the announcement in Deer Lake by the Honourable Lisa Dempster Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment; MP Gudie Hutchings, on behalf of the Honourable Francois-Phillip Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; and Tony Keats, President of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL). Premier Ball announced two projects for the Town of Deer Lake with a total value of $2 million to improve the water and sewer systems on Middle Road and High Street.
As a result of these investments, residents in Newfoundland and Labrador will benefit from improved water and wastewater systems, roads, and community-oriented infrastructure. The projects will be cost shared between Provincial and Federal Governments and community partners and are anticipated to result in approximately 490 person years of employment. The Provincial Government will contribute $45 million; the Federal Government will contribute up to $43 million; and the remaining community share is approximately $22 million. Information about the projects is provided in the backgrounder below.
The agreement for the 10-year Investing in Canada Plan was signed by Premier Ball in September 2018, and these projects represent the first among hundreds over the next 10 years. Projects under the plan are anticipated to have a total value of more than $1.3 billion and over 4,000 person years of employment in the province.
Budget 2019 provides $129 million for municipal infrastructure programs such as the Investing in Canada Plan. This initiative delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to strengthen the province’s economic foundation and deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.
Quotes
“The projects announced today will contribute to improvements in infrastructure and services in every area of the province. By supporting the development of municipal infrastructure, we are supporting local employment opportunities and enabling communities, businesses, and the tourism sector to benefit over the long-term.” - Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“We are building safe and sustainable communities, and through the projects announced today communities will have improved access to quality drinking water and wastewater systems, better road systems, and improved services.” - Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment
“I am proud to be a part of a government that is leading the way in finding efficient, innovative, environmentally sound ways to plan, build, and maintain infrastructure. All projects announced today will benefit the communities of the Long Range Mountains, and all of Newfoundland and Labrador, by creating more prosperous, accessible, and sustainable places to live.” - Gudie Hutchings, Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains
“To ensure the safety of the people in our communities and to meet our regulatory requirements, we must maintain and improve our municipal infrastructure. Our sector faces a $1 billion infrastructure deficit; we anticipate that costs will continue to increase. MNL is pleased to see this investment.” - Tony Keats, President of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador
