Better water and wastewater treatment for Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte residents

Six new projects approved in four communities across Ontario

Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, Ontario, December 19, 2017— The governments of Canada and Ontario are committed to ensuring that all Canadians have access to safe, clean and reliable drinking water. The Government of Canada is making significant investments to support Indigenous communities, including strengthening on-reserve water and wastewater systems. These investments safeguard the health and well-being of residents, protect waterways and preserve local ecosystems.

Mike Bossio, Member of Parliament for Hastings—Lennox and Addington, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure; and Chief R. Donald Maracle, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, today announced that two new projects in the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte have been approved under the Government of Canada’s Clean Water and Waste Water Fund (CWWF). The federal government is providing over $61,000. The provincial government is providing over $30,000 of total eligible costs, and the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte will provide the balance of funding.

Thanks to this investment, residents will soon benefit from cleaner drinking water and better wastewater treatment. The existing analog water meters will be replaced and upgraded with new digital remote technology, helping to detect water loss. Improved water distribution and monitoring will make for better planning and distribution of clean water to the community.

Funding will also go towards the installation of a new septic tank and field at the Busing and Public Works Garage, which will provide better on-site wastewater treatment and improved wastewater discharge. This permanent installation will also allow for a portable unit to be discontinued. These projects are essential to keeping waterways clean and communities healthy.

In addition to these projects, $170,689 in federal funding for four water and wastewater projects will benefit three other communities across Ontario.

This investment is part of an agreement between Canada and Ontario for the CWWF.

Quotes

“Working in partnership with First Nations across Ontario, the Government of Canada is supporting sustainable solutions to address water infrastructure on-reserve. Projects like those in the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte will help Canadian communities better protect public health, and safeguard the property and livelihoods of residents and businesses, while conserving the local environment.”

Mike Bossio, Member of Parliament for Hastings-Lennox and Addington, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“Building and maintaining high-quality water and wastewater infrastructure is an essential part of building livable communities. The projects we are announcing today are part of the Province’s $270 million investment in water and wastewater systems and reinforces our commitment to delivering the public infrastructure Ontarians need. I am pleased that these projects will contribute to enhanced quality of life in the Bay of Quinte area and the surrounding region for years to come.”

The Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure

“The additional project approvals announced today under the CWWF program provides 75% funding to address MBQ immediate wastewater servicing requirements at our Public Works and Bus Barn facility and to support upgrades to our remote metering system in the Bayshore and Hwy #2 area that will assist in the efficient monitoring of water use and trending analysis. The shared funding between the three levels of government provides much needed support for some of the current project funding pressures for Tyendinaga Mohawk Council. I am pleased to see the two projects proceed and look forward to future opportunities for funding to address our additional water needs.”

Chief R. Donald Maracle, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte

Quick Facts

For the six projects announced today, the federal government is funding $232,110. The provincial government is providing $116,054, and the recipients will cover any remaining costs.
The Government of Canada will invest 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.
$21.9 billion of this funding will support green infrastructure projects, including $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
Ontario is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, public transit, roads and bridges in the province’s history – $190 billion over 13 years. To learn more about what’s happening in your community, go to Ontario.ca/BuildON.

Better water and wastewater treatment for Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte residents

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