Funding Pumping Station Upgrades in Greenstone

Written by Ontario Newsroom on 14 July 2016

Minister Gravelle with the Greenstone Mayor and Council Members
( Counc. Blanchard, Counc. Lemieux, Minister Gravelle, Mayor
Beaulieu, Counc. Pietsch, Counc. McPherson, Counc. Giguere). Supplied photo

Thunder Bay – Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle. Supplied photo

Province Creating Jobs, Building Up Critical Infrastructure in Small, Rural and Northern Communities

Ontario is providing the Municipality of Greenstone with up to $990,000 to upgrade the wastewater system at Picnic Point Pumping Station through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund– one of 59 approved projects across the province that will receive new funding.

“I’d like to thank the Government of Ontario for this tremendous support.This project will eliminate a need for the bypassing of raw untreated sewage into the environment and backups into area homes during wet weather events. The important investment is only made possible through with the funding through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund.” Renald Beaulieu, Mayor, Municipality of Greenstone.

“I’m proud that our government in investing in upgrading the Picnic Point Pumping Station for our community. The province’s commitment to investing in small and rural infrastructure will help keep our communities strong while creating jobs in Greenstone.” Michael Gravelle, MPP for Thunder Bay-Superior North

The province is also providing small, rural and northern municipalities like Greenstone with expanded access to predictable, stable, annual funding to build and repair roads, bridges, water and wastewater infrastructure. As announced in the 2016 Ontario Budget, funding for the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund will triple from $100 million to $300 million per year by 2018-19, which will include $200 million in predictable, formula-based funding and $100 million in application-based funding. This will allow smaller municipalities to apply for investments in critical infrastructure projects to create jobs and support local economic growth.

“By expanding the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund from $100 million to $300 million, our government is showing municipalities across Ontario that we’re committed to working with them to address the critical infrastructure they need in their communities through predictable, stable funding. The province is laying the foundation for sustainable economic development, creating jobs and new economic opportunities in rural and northern communities across Ontario.” Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

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.

Expanding and improving infrastructure for Ontario’s small, rural and northern municipalities is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes investing in talent and skills, including helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history and investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.

QUICK FACTS

Currently, 50 per cent of the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund is allocated annually using a fair and transparent formula, which recognizes that municipalities have different infrastructure and fiscal needs. The remaining 50 per cent is available through an application-based process, allowing municipalities to continue partnering with the province to invest in critical infrastructure projects.
To date, 137 critical infrastructure projects have been approved through the OCIF’s application-based component for a total investment of $174 million. In addition, 425 communities have received formula-based grants for a total provincial investment of $50 million per year.
The new changes to the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund reflect consultation feedback from municipal leaders from across Ontario about improvements to the program.

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