News Release

ST. STEPHEN (GNB) – A $2.8 million water and wastewater renewal project was announced today in St. Stephen under the Small Communities Fund.

“Water and wastewater management are important for protecting our environment and our quality of life in New Brunswick communities,” said Charlotte-Campobello MLA John Ames. “Under this project, the provincial government is working in partnership with all levels of government to invest in infrastructure renewal to improve the town’s water and sewer systems and create jobs.”

Ames attended the announcement for Environment and Local Government Minister Brian Kenny.

“Our government understands that by building stronger communities and modernizing and developing our infrastructure, we are creating jobs and opportunities and building a better Canada for future generations,” said New Brunswick Southwest MP John Williamson. “The Small Communities Fund of the New Building Canada Fund supports economic growth from coast to coast to coast while ensuring that Canadian communities remain among the best in the world to live.”

Williamson attended the announcement for Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Denis Lebel.

The project involves replacing the existing water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer mains on a 1.3 km stretch of Prince William Street between King Street and the Dennis Stream. Some portions of the street have combined sanitary and storm sewer mains and these will be separated during the upgrade. The work also includes reconstruction of the street as required with asphalt surface, curbing and sidewalks.

“We are pleased to be collaborating with both the provincial and federal governments to bring much needed improvements to St. Stephen’s water and wastewater system,” said Mayor John Quartermain. “Reliable and effective infrastructure is essential to ensuring small communities like St. Stephen can continue to grow and flourish.”

Under the Small Communities Fund, the provincial government is partnering with the federal government to jointly invest a total of about $79 million in infrastructure over the next 10 years. Each project also receives matched funding from the community for a total investment of more than $118 million.

A total of 38 projects in New Brunswick communities will receive funding for strategic infrastructure initiatives that contribute to both a cleaner environment and economic growth. This is the first round of investments under the fund.

The fund was announced last year as part of the federal government’s 10-year infrastructure plan for communities with a population of less than 100,000. The fund was created under the New Building Canada Plan 2014-2024.

Eligible categories include highways and major roads, public transit, disaster mitigation, connectivity and broadband, innovation, wastewater, green energy, drinking water, solid waste management, brownfield redevelopment, local and regional airports, short-line rail, short-sea shipping and northern infrastructure.