News Release

LAWRENCE STATION (GNB) – The Southwest New Brunswick Service Commission will receive an estimated $4.5 million for upgrades to their solid waste facility.

The project, announced today, is being funded through the Gas Tax Fund and involves installing new treatment ponds and a new leachate filter, as well as upgrading pumping stations and site piping to reduce harmful waste going into the environment.

“We are pleased to see this significant environmental upgrade to our landfill system in southwest New Brunswick,” said Tourism, Heritage and Culture Minister John Ames. “This project is an important investment that will upgrade facilities in order to help us efficiently and responsibly manage our waste in the long run.”

Ames spoke on behalf of Environment and Local Government Minister Serge Rousselle.

Once completed, the upgrades to the Hemlock Knoll Landfill will provide residents with an environmentally sustainable and cost effective waste management system for years.

“Through the federal Gas Tax Fund, the Government of Canada is helping communities in New Brunswick Southwest, and all across Canada, to make informed decisions about their infrastructure investments,” said New Brunswick Southwest MP Karen Ludwig. “The rehabilitation of the Hemlock Knoll Landfill will protect the environment, create jobs and keep New Brunswick communities healthy for generations to come.”

Ludwig attended for federal Infrastructure and Communities Minister Amarjeet Sohi.

“Ensuring the protection of our environment is an important value of all New Brunswickers and Canadians. This investment in a major expansion of the capacity of our leachate treatment system here at our landfill ensures that for the foreseeable future all waste water coming out of the landfill is fully treated before it is released into the environment,” said Joyce Wright, chair of the Southwest New Brunswick Service Commission. “On behalf of the board of directors, I want to sincerely thank the federal and provincial governments for their tremendous financial support for this much needed investment.”

The annual $2-billion federal Gas Tax Fund is intended to provide predictable, long-term funding to help Canadian municipalities build and revitalize their local infrastructure while creating jobs and long-term prosperity. Projects are chosen locally and prioritized according to the infrastructure needs of each community.