News release

Building Canada Funding Flows to Mahone Bay and Chester

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations (Oct. 2000 - March 2014)

Residents of Mahone Bay and Chester will benefit from improved drinking water and wastewater treatment thanks to a shared investment by the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia under the Communities Component of the Building Canada plan.

Federal, provincial and municipal funding of $331,500 was announced today, July 15, in Mahone Bay by Judy Streatch, Minister of Community Services, on behalf of Jamie Muir, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations and by Gerald Keddy, parliamentary secretary to the Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on behalf of Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.

"Today's investments demonstrate how important it is that provincial, federal, and municipal governments work together to benefit our communities," said Ms. Streatch. "It is through our continued partnerships that we are able to build for our families now and for years to come."

"This investment reflects our government's commitment to building stronger, more vibrant communities in Nova Scotia and across Canada," said Mr. Keddy. "Improvements to the Mahone Bay water distribution system and the Chester wastewater treatment facility will benefit hundreds of households in both communities."

The Town of Mahone Bay will benefit from two projects that includes the replacement of a water main on Longhill Road to provide safe drinking water to 13 households, and improvements to the town's three pumping stations that will increase the capacity to treat wastewater. The total cost of these projects is $175,500 and will be funded equally by the federal and provincial governments, and the Town of Mahone Bay.

The Municipality of Chester's project includes the replacement of a portion of the wastewater system the on Nauss Point Rd., which will enable the treatment facility to operate more effectively. This replacement will also help eliminate potential groundwater contamination. The total cost of this project is $156,000 and will be funded equally by the federal and provincial governments, and the Municipality of Chester.

"We are pleased to see our federal and provincial partners responding to infrastructure needs to build strong, healthy communities, which will encourage opportunities for growth," said Robert Wrye, president of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities.

In November, the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia signed a framework agreement under Building Canada, which is the government of Canada's $33 billion infrastructure plan that will support a growing economy, a cleaner environment and stronger communities. Through the framework agreement, the government of Canada is committing to a new investment of more than $634 million towards infrastructure needs in the province by 2014.

Under the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund, the federal, provincial and municipal governments anticipate investing $111 million in infrastructure projects in smaller, communities across Nova Scotia, between now and 2014.