News Release

PETITCODIAC (GNB) – A $291,257 wastewater collection system upgrade was announced today in the Village of Petitcodiac under the Small Communities Fund.

“This project supports a clean environment through the installation of new infrastructure to support the village’s wastewater collection system,” said Memramcook-Tantramar MLA Bernard LeBlanc. “This work has been made possible by all levels of government working together to protect the environment and bring jobs to this community.”

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

“The federal 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 Rob Moore, minister of state for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. “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.”

Moore spoke on behalf of Infrastructure, Communities, and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Denis Lebel.

The upgrade for the village involves the replacement of a sewer line located under the Petitcodiac River near the regional high school on Corey Avenue.

“We are pleased to begin work on this important upgrade,” said Gerald Gogan, mayor of the Village of Petitcodiac. “Maintaining efficient infrastructure will enhance the quality of life for residents and help our community prepare for growth.”

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 projects that contribute to both a cleaner environment and economic growth. This is the first round of investments under the fund.

The Small Communities 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.