Canada helps protect Sarnia from flooding

SARNIA, ON, March 28, 2019 /CNW/ - Now more than ever, communities need help adapting to the frequent and intensifying weather events caused by climate change. Reducing the impact of natural disasters such as flooding and wildfires is critical to keeping Canadian families safe, protecting local businesses and supporting a strong economy and the middle class.

Marco Mendicino, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, today announced funding for a flooding and overflow mitigation project in Sarnia.

The project will see new construction and expansion of wastewater, storm water, and water systems that serve local residents and businesses. The upgrades will better direct water and wastewater flow during storms. Increased capacity of the sanitary and storm sewer system will prevent basement flooding in Sarnia's core and decrease overflow into the St. Clair River, protecting residents downstream.

Once complete, this project will increase the city's ability to mitigate the effects of storm and flooding events, while also ensuring the health and well-being of residents.

The Government of Canada is contributing over $10.4 million to this project through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund.

Quotes

"Taking measures to mitigate flooding will help families and businesses in Sarnia by protecting their community during extreme rainfall and spring thaw. Investing in infrastructure increases the quality of life of residents and their children. These investments create good, well-paying middle class jobs, and set the stage for long-term economic growth that benefits everyone." 

Marco Mendicino, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Extreme weather is becoming more severe, more frequent, more damaging and more expensive because of climate change. By investing in the infrastructure that protects our neighbourhoods, businesses, and families, we are building communities that can withstand future natural disasters and thrive for generations to come."

The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety

"The funding is a giant step forward for the citizens of Sarnia and the environment. Infrastructure Canada's financial support along with city funds will help complete another phase of the most massive municipal infrastructure project begun in the 1980s in Sarnia's history. The work to separate sewers in the city to end basement flooding and pollution into the St. Clair River will be positive for the environment, for the next generation, and for the Great Lakes."

Mike Bradley, Mayor of Sarnia

Quick facts

• The Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) is a $2-billion, 10-year program to help communities build the infrastructure they need to better withstand natural hazards such as floods, wildfires, earthquakes and droughts.
• DMAF is part of the federal government's Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, which is providing more than $180 billion over 12 years for public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and rural and northern communities.
• Investing in green infrastructure that helps communities cope with the intensifying effects of climate change is an integral part of Canada's transition to a more resilient, low-carbon economy, which is among the commitments made under the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.
• Budget 2019, Investing in the Middle Class, is the government's plan to create more good well-paying jobs, put homeownership within reach of more Canadians, help working people get the training they need to succeed, support seniors, and lay the foundation for national pharmacare.
• Announcements in Budget 2019 build on the Government's Investing in Canada Plan, under which the Government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years to build infrastructure in communities across the country.
• With many municipalities across Canada facing serious infrastructure deficits, Budget 2019 proposes a one-time transfer of $2.2 billion through the federal Gas Tax Fund to address short-term priorities in municipalities and First Nations communities.

Associated links

Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/dmaf-faac/index-eng.html  

Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html 

Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario: https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/investments-2002-investissements/on-eng.html

Investing in Canada plan project map: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html

Budget 2019, Investing in the Middle Class: https://www.budget.gc.ca/2019/home-accueil-en.html

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram 
Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada