Brooklyn Residents To Benefit From Extension Of Water And Wastewater System

August 07, 2008

BROOKLYN (NS) – Residents in the Region of Queens Municipality will soon 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 in Brooklyn by Gerald Keddy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and to the Minister of International Trade and by Jamie Muir, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations.

“Maintaining a healthy and sustainable environment on the South Shore and beyond is directly related to the health and prosperity of Canadians,” said Parliamentary Secretary Keddy on behalf of the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of ACOA. “The protection and promotion of a clean environment is certainly a priority for the Government of Canada.”

“These infrastructure projects are fine examples of how we are working together with our federal and municipal partners to ensure that communities across the province country have access to safe drinking water and improved wastewater treatment,” said Minister Muir. “It is through our continued partnerships that we are able to improve the quality of life for all Nova Scotians.”

The Region of Queens Municipality's project includes phase four of the extension of water and wastewater to the community of Brooklyn. This 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 total cost of this project is $505,500 and will be funded equally by the federal and provincial governments, and the Region of Queens Municipality. Funding for this project is being provided through the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund. Federal, provincial and municipal governments anticipate investing $111 million in infrastructure projects in smaller, communities across Nova Scotia, between now and 2014.

“We are pleased to see that our federal and provincial partners are providing their share of funding for infrastructure projects that help build strong and prosperous communities,” said Robert Wrye, president of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities.

In November 2007, 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.