News release

Infrastructure Program Funds Lunenburg Harbour Cleanup

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

SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS--Infrastructure Program Funds Lunenburg Harbour Cleanup


Residents of Lunenburg will be seeing improvements to the UNESCO World Heritage Site's harbour due to the construction of a sewage treatment plant funded through the Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program.

Joint federal-provincial funding, in the amount of $3,448,533, was announced today as one of 14 project approvals totalling more than $14.1 million, by Robert Thibault, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Michael Baker, MLA for Lunenburg, on behalf of Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations.

"The Lunenburg harbour cleanup will definitely have a great impact not only to the health and environment of the community but it will open doors for future economic investment," said Mr. Baker.

Green municipal infrastructure to ensure effective wastewater management and safe drinking water is the first priority under the program. The majority of the federal and provincial funding announced in the first year will be directed to green projects like the Lunenburg harbour cleanup.

"The government of Canada is making infrastructure a top priority in our communities," said Mr. Thibault. "Through the Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program, we are investing in 'green' projects that will improve our quality of life by providing for a cleaner environment."

The $5,172,800 Lunenburg harbour cleanup project will involve increasing the number of households that are connected to a high-level of sewage treatment. The environmental technology used in the new sewage treatment plant features innovative Nova Scotian technology designed to meet the needs of Old Town Lunenburg. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, Lunenburg is one of only two urban sites to be been so recognized in North America. With this distinction comes the opportunity to promote unique Canadian culture and heritage, and to attract private-sector investment and economic activity. The harbour cleanup is critical to achieving new economic and employment opportunities for Lunenburg and the surrounding South Shore region of Nova Scotia. The waterfront and a rehabilitated marine environment are key to the area's future prosperity.

"Cleaning up and beautifying the Lunenburg harbour has been one of our long-term goals," said Laurence Mawhinney, mayor of Lunenburg. "This project is a benefit not only in terms of the health of our citizens and environment, but also to our reputation as a centre of marine services, tourism and heritage. We are very appreciative of the support offered by the other orders of government for this initiative in recognition of their shared responsibilities for the maintenance of this World Heritage site."

The federal and provincial funding under the program is subject to the formal acceptance of the Town of Lunenburg, which will fund the balance of the project.

This is one of a series of approval announcements for projects under the program totalling more than $41 million to date. Additional announcements are expected as projects undergo environmental assessment and final approval.

The $195 million, six-year Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program is administered by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. The Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities is represented on the program's management committee.