Millions announced for infrastructure
Water and wastewater project coming to Iqaluit, Arviat and Chesterfield Inlet
Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services
Monday, September 12, 2016
EDMONTON
Nunavut's troubled water and sewage infrastructure has received federal attention and three communities will benefit immediately from funding announced earlier this month.
Community and Government Services Minister Joe Savikataaq, left, with federal Infrastructure and Communities Minister Amarjeet Sohi announce $68 million in funding for Nunavut under the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund Sept. 6 in Edmonton. - photo courtesy of the Government of Nunavut |
Nunavut's Community and Government Services Minister Joe Savikataaq and federal Infrastructure and Communities Minister Amarjeet Sohi together announced more than $68 million in combined funding for the territory as part of the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund in Edmonton.
"This new agreement will help us target critical safe water and wastewater projects to increase the impact of our capital investments," said Savikataaq.
"With its innovative and resourceful approach, this program is supporting healthy communities in our territory and we look forward to working with the Government of Canada to ensure the next phase of federal infrastructure funding will also benefit Nunavummiut."
The City of Iqaluit will see $26.5 million to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant. Ottawa is providing $19,875,000, with a GN contribution of $6,625,000.
"This funding will fortify the infrastructure of the city's wastewater treatment plant, ensuring the safety and integrity of this essential service for our citizens, now and for decades to come," stated Iqaluit Mayor Madeleine Redfern in a news release.
Iqaluit has long had issues with water-licence compliance.
"This funding will help the city bring us into compliance with our water licence and ensure that the city is able to bring our wastewater treatment plant up to standards," stated chief administrative officer Muhamud Hassan.
In January, deputy mayor Romeyn Stevenson told Nunavut News/North that federal government had two years ago ordered the city to have its water licence and waste management in order. Those deadlines were fast approaching, he said.
"We need to do a wastewater treatment plant," said Stevenson. "That is going to be extremely expensive. We need to do it right. We can't rush it to get it done but it needs to be done by those federal deadlines. That will be challenging."
Arviat, meanwhile, has been waiting a long time to solve its water infrastructure woes. That community will receive $15,750,000 from the feds and $5,250,000 from the GN to beef up its water-related infrastructure.
Chesterfield Inlet, meanwhile will receive $1,050,000 in federal money and $350,000 in territorial money for water-treatment upgrades.
The Government of Nunavut will identify additional projects for Phase 1 funding in the coming months, according to the news release.
This funding is part of the first phase of Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada's $120-billion plan to support public infrastructure across the country over the next 10 years, according to the news release.
Phase 1 of Investing in Canada provides $11.9 billion in investments to support public transit systems, green infrastructure projects, and social infrastructure projects. Details on Phase 2 of Investing in Canada will be announced over the next few months.
