News Release

October 24, 2005

CANADA AND ONTARIO PARTNER WITH HAMILTON TO PROVIDE UP TO $105 MILLION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE
Investments Will Improve Wastewater Treatment and Support Hamilton Harbour Clean Up, and Encourage Urban Renewal in the Hamilton Region

(Hamilton, Ontario – October 24, 2005) – The governments of Canada and Ontario and the City of Hamilton are partnering to support infrastructure development in the City of Hamilton, providing up to $105 million for two important projects: improvements to the City of Hamilton’s wastewater treatment system and the clean up of Hamilton Harbour, and the development of North Glanbrook Industrial Business Park. Each order of government will contribute up to $35 million for the projects announced today, together supporting a better quality of life for Hamilton.

The announcement was made today by the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Minister Tony Valeri, on behalf of Minister of State (Infrastructure and Communities) John Godfrey, along with Dr. Marie Bountrogianni, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister Responsible for Democratic Renewal, on behalf of Public Infrastructure Renewal Minister David Caplan, and the City of Hamilton’s Mayor Larry Di Ianni.

Investments of up to $75 million for improvements to the City of Hamilton’s wastewater treatment system will support the clean up of Hamilton Harbour.  The wastewater treatment improvements will significantly reduce the amount of chlorine in wastewater effluent; help to reduce the number of combined sewer overflows into Hamilton Harbour during heavy rains; and improve the ability of Windermere Basin to remove sediment from wastewater treated at the Woodward Wastewater Treatment Plant and from Red Hill Creek.  The Government of Canada will contribute up to $35 million to this project. The Government of Ontario and the City of Hamilton will contribute up to $40 million.

“If we are going to ensure the sustainable prosperity of our communities, all levels of government need to work together on investing in strategic, long-term infrastructure,” said Minister Valeri. “Today’s announcement, consistent with the New Deal for Cities and Communities and Project Green, is a reflection of the Government of Canada’s commitment to improving the quality of life and economic development of our communities.”

“By investing in local infrastructure renewal, we can help build healthy, strong communities,” said Minister Bountrogianni. “The Woodward and North Glanbrook projects are fundamental to the quality of life in Hamilton and demonstrate how the McGuinty government is working with municipalities across Ontario to improve critical infrastructure systems.”

Development of the North Glanbrook Industrial Business Park will enable the City of Hamilton to meet the demand for new industrial development within its city limits, supporting urban renewal and revitalization through building new infrastructure. The industrial and business park development will attract new industry, while permitting the retention and growth of existing business and industry in Hamilton. The Government of Ontario and the City of Hamilton will together contribute up to $30 million to this project.

“These projects represent a major advance in the revitalization of Hamilton's waterfront and industrial parks,” said Mayor Larry Di Ianni. “Today’s announcement illustrates the commitments of the governments of Canada and Ontario towards investing in Hamilton's future.”

In accordance with federal and provincial requirements, the City of Hamilton must meet applicable conditions before funding can flow to each project, including federally and provincially accepted environmental assessments and the negotiation of formal contribution agreements.

In support of the New Deal for Cities and Communities, the Government of Canada works with provinces, territories and municipal governments, as well as the private sector, to meet strategic infrastructure needs throughout the country. The federal contribution for the Hamilton Harbour Clean-Up project will come from the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, which supports large-scale strategic infrastructure projects that improve quality of life and further sustainable growth.

Under the province’s ReNew Ontario infrastructure investment plan, the McGuinty government and its partners will invest $30 billion over the next five years to improve public infrastructure.

Today’s announcement further reinforces the commitments of the governments of Canada and Ontario towards sustainable cities and communities, through investments in public infrastructure that provide a quality of life that is second to none.

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BACKGROUNDER

CANADA AND ONTARIO PARTNER WITH HAMILTON TO PROVIDE UP TO $105 MILLION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE

Working together, the Governments of Canada and Ontario and the City of Hamilton have committed to fund infrastructure development for the City of Hamilton.  The Governments of Canada and Ontario and the City of Hamilton have committed to fund improvements to the City of Hamilton’s wastewater treatment system and support the clean up of Hamilton Harbour.  In addition, the Government of Ontario and the City of Hamilton have committed to invest in the development of North Glanbrook Industrial Business Park.  Together these investments will provide up to $105 million for infrastructure development in the City of Hamilton.

Hamilton Harbour Clean-Up Project

A priority for the City of Hamilton is the Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan.  The Government of Canada has committed to contribute up to $35 million under the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF) for the Hamilton Harbour Clean-Up project.  The Government of Ontario and the City of Hamilton will contribute up to $15 million and $25 million respectively. 

The funding has been identified for three priorities:

1. Dechlorination of Wastewater
Ultra violet light and improved chemical treatment will be used to reduce the bacteria in wastewater, at the same time as limiting the amount of chlorine released into the environment once the wastewater is treated. Chlorine is detrimental to fish and other aquatic organisms.

2. Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Control
The Combined Sewer Overflow initiative will help Hamilton’s to store excess run-off water that is captured when it rains, allowing it to be redirected later to the wastewater treatment plant, where it will be treated after the peak treatment period has ended. Improving the system will prevent sewer overflow from being released into Hamilton Harbour during heavy rains.

3. Naturalization of Windermere Basin
The Woodward Treatment plant discharges treated wastewater into Windermere Basin, allowing sediment to settle out before the water is returned to the environment. Improvements to the Windermere Basin will see it returned to a natural wetland and floodplain state, removing the need for dredging.

Federal funding for this project comes from the Government of Canada’s $4-billion CSIF program.  Under CSIF, the Government of Canada works with provincial, territorial and municipal governments, as well as the private sector to meet strategic infrastructure needs throughout the country.  This funding program supports large-scale strategic infrastructure projects that improve quality of life and furthers sustainable growth. 

The North Glanbrook Industrial Business Park Project

This 680-acre project, currently zoned industrial, responds to the lack of shovel ready industrial land in excess of five acres and abutting a major highway or arterial road, within the City of Hamilton urban boundary. The site is located at the south end of the city near the Lincoln Alexander Parkway and future Red Hill Creek Expressway interchange. The project supports the City’s Growth Related Integrated Development Strategy, which guides growth over the next 30 years and seeks to diversify the City’s assessment base.

The North Glanbrook project is key to economic development and employment expansion in Hamilton. It is also consistent with the province’s Draft Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe objective to provide adequate employment lands with the existing urban area. The economic benefits from this investment are estimated to include: 10,350 new jobs; 12 million square feet in new building construction; $300-million expansion of the commercial tax assessment base; and new tax revenue of $18 million annually.

The $30-million investment will provide water and sewer services and road improvements so a first phase of development can proceed.  Initial projects include:

• 4100 metres of watermain on Rynal, Nebo and Twenty Road
• 1750 metres of sanitary sewer on the future Dartnell Road Extension easement
• Road improvements on Nebo and Twenty Road.

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