News release

Cape Breton Communities to Benefit From Improved Drinking Water

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

Residents of seven communities on Cape Breton Island will benefit from improved drinking water thanks to a shared investment by the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia.

Upgrades to the drinking-water systems in Port Hawkesbury, Inverness, Port Hood, Mabou, Judique, Whycocomagh and Little Narrows are being funded under the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund.

The $5.7-million investment was announced today, April 13, by Premier Rodney MacDonald and Peter MacKay, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. The federal and provincial governments are each contributing one-third of the cost of the projects. The Town of Port Hawkesbury and the municipalities of Inverness and Victoria will fund one-third of the cost of the costs of their projects, which respond to municipal and program priorities.

"Safe drinking water and reliable water-treatment systems are vital to our residents' health and peace of mind," said Premier MacDonald. "Government is committed to supporting important infrastructure projects throughout Nova Scotia."

"The government of Canada recognizes the important role that infrastructure plays and that is why we are making the largest investment in infrastructure in Canada in more than a half a century," said Mr. MacKay. "Our government is pleased to invest almost $1.9 million in federal funding for projects that will ensure safe, clean drinking water for the residents of these seven Cape Breton communities."

The Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund supports community infrastructure improvements, such as water, wastewater and solid-waste management.

"These investments will help build strong, healthy communities, which will encourage opportunities for growth," said Robert Wyre, president of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities. "We are pleased that these important projects are moving forward."

Today's investment is part of the $133-million, six-year Canada-Nova Scotia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, which is administered by ACOA and Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation and the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities are members of the program management committee.