Selkirk, Manitoba, February 13, 2019—Modern reliable water and wastewater systems are crucial to protecting the health of Canadians, keeping Manitoba's waterways clean and supporting economic growth.
Today, the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Rural Economic Development, and the Honourable Jeff Wharton, Manitoba Minister of Municipal Relations, were in Selkirk to announce joint funding for important upgrades to water and wastewater systems in the City of Selkirk and the R.M. of Ritchot.
In the City of Selkirk, funding will support the design and construction of a forcemain and lift station in the western part of the City. Once complete, it will reduce storm water flooding, improve wastewater treatment, and expand the treatment and collection system to make way for up to 1800 new homes in the City, as well as new commercial development.
In the R.M. of Ritchot, funding will support upgrades to the raw water supply system and increase the capacity of the reservoir to meet rising water use from rural residents in the R.M. of Ritchot, Riel Industrial park, Ste. Agathe, St. Adolphe, Île des Chênes, as well as planned future expansion of the regional water system to the community of Grande Pointe and area. These upgrades will ensure the municipality can provide potable water to the existing and future population that meets both Manitoba's and Canada's water quality standards and legislation.
Both projects will be funded through the Small Communities Fund, with each partner providing one third of the eligible project costs. Canada, Manitoba and the City of Selkirk are each contributing $800,000 to the Sekirk Forcemain and Lift Station project. For the Ritchot Water Supply and Additional Reservoir Capacity Project, the R.M. of Ritchot, along with the federal and provincial governments, will each provide $1 million in funding.
"Modern water and wastewater infrastructure is essential to safeguarding the well-being of Canadian families and building the Canada we want for tomorrow. These important projects in the City of Selkirk and the R.M. of Ritchot will not only improve services for residents, but protect the environment, keep communities healthy and livable, and pave the way for economic development and growth."
The Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Rural Economic Development
"These projects will ensure that wastewater in the City of Selkirk and drinking water in Richot will be treated to a higher quality. Improvements to our municipal infrastructure are a priority in Manitoba, and these projects are an important step towards making our municipalities' infrastructure stronger and more efficient for all residents."
Jeff Wharton, Minister of Municipal Relations
"Since 2011, the City of Selkirk, with the support of our funding partners, have made significant investments into our water and wastewater systems; improving our capacity to serve our growing community, our resiliency to climate change, and our environmental performance. This project will support the future development of almost 750 acres and will reduce the current demands on our existing system."
Larry Johannson, Mayor of the City of Selkirk
"I, along with all of Richot council, am excited for the infrastructure funding from the governments of Canada and Manitoba. We look forward to seeing the project come to fruition because of the help of our federal and provincial partners."
Chris Ewen, Mayor of Ritchot
Quick facts
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Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
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$26.9 billion of this funding is supporting green infrastructure projects, including $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
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Including these two new projects, a total of 86 projects have been approved and announced under the Small Communities Fund (SCF) in Manitoba. Under the SCF, eligible project costs are split equally between Canada, Manitoba and the local municipality.
