News Release

May 11, 2005

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND GOVERNMENT OF QUEBEC
AGREE TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARD INVESTMENTS OF
CLOSE TO $110 MILLION FOR THE
REMEDIATION OF WATER IN THE ST. CHARLES RIVER

QUEBEC CITY, Quebec, May 11, 2005 – The Government of Canada, the Government of Quebec and Quebec City have announced that they will jointly invest close to $110 million to clean up the St. Charles River and to renaturalize its riverbanks. The announcement was made by the Honourable Claude Drouin on behalf of the Minister of State (Infrastructure and Communities), the Honourable John Godfrey, together with Quebec’s Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale region, Michel Després, on behalf of the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Regions, Nathalie Normandeau, and the Mayor of Quebec City, Jean-Paul L’Allier.

The St. Charles River clean water initiative will require the construction of retention ponds that will reduce incidents of flooding. These ponds will store the excess run-off water that is captured by wastewater systems when it rains, and redirect the surplus water to the wastewater treatment plant, where it will be treated after the peak treatment period has ended. The Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec reached an agreement-in-principle confirming their commitment to jointly contribute approximately $73 million to this priority under the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund. Quebec City will also provide one third of the costs for this priority.

“This agreement-in-principle is the result of discussions between our two governments on a number of infrastructure priorities,” said Mr. Drouin. “Work on the St. Charles River will protect the environment and improve the quality of life of local residents. The Government of Canada is proud to contribute financially to the efforts of the Government of Quebec and Quebec City in support of environmentally sustainable municipal infrastructure.”

For his part, Quebec’s Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale region is delighted that Quebec City can now complete its efforts to clean up the water. “Through these major public works, including those that will help restore the riverbanks, we are contributing to enhance the recreational, tourism, ecological and aesthetic value of the St. Charles River, all the while attracting more riverside residents and tourists. Cleaning up the St. Charles River is a project we have always believed in,” said Mr. Després.

The completion of this priority will have to comply with both federal and provincial environmental assessment requirements, and to the requirements of the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund.

Funding for clean water and wastewater treatment priorities is identified in an April 29 agreement-in-principle, in which the Government of Canada committed almost $1.2 billion to the Government of Quebec under three federal infrastructure programs: the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund and the Border Infrastructure Fund.

In addition, the governments of Canada and Quebec have agreed to continue talks to quickly sign the gas tax agreement, in order to encourage infrastructure renewal in Quebec. It should be noted that in its 2005 budget, the Government of Canada pledged to share $5 billion in gas tax revenues over the next five years, across Canada. The annual amount will increase to $2 billion by the fifth year, and remain at this level indefinitely thereafter. The Honourable John Godfrey believes this contribution is a key element of the New Deal for Cities and Communities.

- 30 -

Contacts:

Infrastructure Canada
Communications and Promotion
(613) 948-1148

Josée Delisle
Press Secretary
Office of the Quebec Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale region
(418) 643-6980

Jonathan Trudeau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Regions
(418) 691-2050

Email this page   Printer-friendly format