The governments of Canada and British Columbia continue to invest in local infrastructure during this unprecedented time to meet the needs of communities across the province, enhance peoples’ quality of life, and support economic recovery from COVID-19.
Today, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Josie Osborne, British Columbia’s Minister of Municipal Affairs, announced funding for 14 water , wastewater and stormwater infrastructure projects in the province. Supporting communities to build modern and reliable water infrastructure is a shared priority for both governments.
Among the projects approved today, the District of Ucluelet will upgrade its local water treatment system to increase storage capacity for drinking water and improve access to clean drinking water in the community. The upgrades include adding a water treatment plant at the Mercantile Creek water source, adding filtration of the well field that pulls from Lost Shoe Creek, and adding a third reservoir to the Ucluelet drinking water system.
Port Clements will improve how it treats wastewater by replacing the existing lagoon with a new aerated wastewater treatment lagoon system. This new system will increase overall retention time, provide separate cells for aeration, and limit the risk of a system failure. Its increased efficiency will help reduce energy consumption and extend the lifespan of this critical wastewater infrastructure.
The Cowichan Valley Regional District will increase the capacity of the Saltair Water System to treat drinking water. Two new treatment units will be installed to improve water quality at the existing treatment plant site, along with a micro-hydro turbine to generate green power and reduce the plant’s overall energy consumption.
The Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia are investing $110.3 million in the 14 projects announced today through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program’s Green Infrastructure Stream. Canada is contributing more than $60.2 million, conditional on requirements related to consultations with Indigenous groups being met. British Columbia is contributing more than $50.1 million. Project recipients are investing over $40.1 million in total.
Federal Infrastructure Minister, the Hon. Catherine McKenna said:
"“Today’s announcement of more than $60.2 million in federal funding will help 14 communities in British Columbia upgrade their water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and provide reliable services to local residents. In partnership with the Province, we continue to invest in critical infrastructure, building greener, healthier, and more resilient communities, and supporting local economies at a time when it is needed most. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities.”
While BC's Municipal Affairs Minister - the Hon. Josie Osborne said:
"Investing in infrastructure is investing in people, and these projects we’re announcing today with our federal partners will benefit people for generations to come – not only by supporting cleaner, healthier communities, but also by creating important infrastructure jobs that contribute to local economic growth. In the coming months and years, I hope to be able to tour in-person the many upgraded and new water and wastewater facilities being made possible across B.C. with this funding"
Quick facts
- Through the Investing in Canada plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
- Across B.C., the Government of Canada has invested more than $4.4 billion in over 580 infrastructure projects since 2015 under the Investing in Canada plan.
- The Province is investing $3.6 billion over a 10-year period under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program for British Columbia’s infrastructure initiatives.
