News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – An investment of almost $1.8 million to upgrade two wastewater systems was announced today in Fredericton under the Small Communities Fund.

“These two projects support a clean environment through improvements to the city’s wastewater collection systems,” said Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Stephen Horsman. “We are proud of the partnership we have with the federal government and the municipality to deliver new infrastructure and jobs to the city.”

Horsman made the announcement on behalf of Environment and Local Government Minister Brian Kenny.

“The federal government understands that by building stronger communities and modernizing and developing our infrastructure, we are creating jobs and opportunities and building a better Canada for future generations,” said Fredericton MP Keith Ashfield. “The Small Communities Fund of the New Building Canada Fund supports economic growth from coast to coast to coast while ensuring that Canadian communities remain among the best in the world to live.”

Ashfield attended the announcement for Infrastructure, Communities, and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Denis Lebel.

The first of these projects involves upgrading the Barker Street wastewater treatment facility. The wastewater debris and sand diversion points will be expanded to allow for future increased water flow and new equipment will be installed to make the ultraviolet disinfection system more energy efficient. This work will improve the general productivity of the facility and reduce the risks associated with storms, such as treatment capacity overloads and the flow of untreated water into the St John River.

The second project consists of improving the Garden Creek Lagoon to meet federal regulations. Specifically, the outfall pipe will be extended further out into the main river current of the St John River to help ensure the public does not come into contact with the discharge.

“On behalf of the City of Fredericton, I extend my appreciation to the Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick for their investment in this important infrastructure project,” said Mayor Brad Woodside. “Along with our third of the funding, we continue to be able to upgrade the capacity of the plant, meet the Federal Wastewater Effluent Guidelines, and extend the life of the wastewater treatment facility.”

Under the Small Communities Fund, the provincial government is partnering with the federal government to jointly invest a total of about $79 million in infrastructure over the next 10 years. Each project also receives matched funding from the community for a total investment of more than $118 million.

A total of 38 projects in New Brunswick communities will receive funding for strategic infrastructure projects that contribute to both a cleaner environment and economic growth. This is the first round of investments under the fund.

The Small Communities Fund was announced last year as part of the federal government’s 10-year infrastructure plan for communities with a population of less than 100,000. The fund was created under the New Building Canada Plan 2014-2024.

Eligible categories include highways and major roads, public transit, disaster mitigation, connectivity and broadband, innovation, wastewater, green energy, drinking water, solid waste management, brownfield redevelopment, local and regional airports, short-line rail, short-sea shipping and northern infrastructure.