News release

Region of Queens Receives Infrastructure Funding

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

Residents in the Region of Queens Municipality will benefit from safer drinking water and improved wastewater treatment thanks to a shared investment by the federal, provincial and municipal governments.

Federal, provincial and municipal funding of $505,500 was announced today, Aug. 7, in Brooklyn by 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 Peter MacKay, Minister of ACOA.

"This infrastructure project is a fine example of how we are working together with our federal and municipal partners to ensure that communities across the province have access to safe drinking water and improved wastewater treatment," said Mr. Muir. "It is through our continued partnerships that we are able to improve the quality of life for all Nova Scotians."

"Maintaining a healthy and sustainable environment on the South Shore and beyond is directly related to the health and prosperity of Canadians," said Mr. Keddy. "The protection and promotion of a clean environment is certainly a priority for the government of Canada."

The Region of Queens Municipality's project includes phase four of the extension of water and wastewater to the community of Brooklyn. The extension will connect seven new households to the municipal water and wastewater collection and treatment systems. As well, about 20 families will have improved fire protection. The project cost is $505,500 and will be funded equally by the federal and provincial governments, and the Region of Queens Municipality.

Funding for the project is through the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund. Federal, provincial and municipal governments anticipate investing $111 million in infrastructure projects in smaller, rural communities across Nova Scotia by 2014.

"We are pleased to see that our federal and provincial partners are providing their share of funding for this infrastructure project that will help make our region stronger and healthier," said John Leefe, mayor of the Region of Queens Municipality.

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.