Oro-Medonte Celebrates Government of Canada Grant

ORO, Ontario, July 16, 2008 — Bruce Stanton, Member of Parliament for Simcoe North, was in Oro-Medonte today to celebrate the $216,073 Ontario Potable Water Program (OPWP) grant awarded to the Township.

The OPWP, announced in February 2008, provides up to $50 million in financial support to promote local economic development in municipalities that have experienced increased costs for their Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program (COIP) water projects to comply with changes to Ontario drinking water regulations.

"Supporting the local economy is one of the ways the Government of Canada is helping to build strong communities and a strong Canada," said MP Stanton.

"This grant has gone a long way towards enhancing economic development in a rural municipality like Oro-Medonte," said Harry S. Hughes, Mayor of the Township of Oro-Medonte.

Municipalities may be considered for financial support under the program upon completion of their COIP drinking water projects. As projects are completed, Industry Canada officials will contact these municipalities directly to confirm their eligibility and interest in applying for the OPWP. Once applications are assessed, municipalities will be informed and grants will be announced. Financial support under the OPWP must be delivered to municipalities by March 31, 2011.

For more information on the OPWP, please visit http://www.ic.gc.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Laryssa Waler
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
613-957-0200

Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502