Kirkland Lake GIF Announcement

February 02, 2010

MPP David Ramsay, His Worship Enouy, honoured guests, ladies and gentlemen.

Good afternoon. I’m very pleased to see that so many could join us for today’s event.

Our Government is as committed as ever to creating jobs and revitalizing our economy. We recognize the importance of creating new jobs, boosting regional economies, and getting bridges, roads, sidewalks, sewers, community centres and other public infrastructure built.

And today’s infrastructure announcement is not only important to the residents of Kirkland Lake, but also to the many residents of nearby communities.

That is why I am very pleased to be here today with MPP Ramsay and Mayor Enouy to announce such an important wastewater infrastructure investment.

Through the Green Infrastructure Fund, the Government of Canada will set aside up to 16 million dollars to support the design and construction of a new wastewater treatment facility in Kirkland Lake.
The 1-billion-dollar Green Infrastructure Fund was introduced in Canada’s Economic Action Plan and focuses on green priorities such as green energy generation and transmission infrastructure, building and upgrading wastewater treatment systems, and improving solid waste management.

Our Government understands that targeted investments in green infrastructure can improve the quality of the environment and could also lead to a more sustainable economy over the longer term.

Since the roof collapse of the wastewater treatment facility in Kirkland Lake, we understand the Town has been operating under emergency measures and with limited wastewater treatment capacity. 

The construction of a new facility will allow Kirkland Lake to meet existing wastewater requirements. And it will provide a more modern and upgraded system through components such as tertiary treatment of wastewater, ultraviolet disinfection, and improved sludge management. 

And we know that this will not only enable Kirkland Lake to restore reliable, safe and secure wastewater treatment services…
…but it will also contribute to a healthy, clean environment that will have a direct impact on the health and prosperity of the town’s citizens. 

Our Government understands how important it is to protect our fresh water resources.  Funding of 336.9 million dollars has been previously announced for wastewater treatment projects in communities in and near the Great Lakes Basin.  

This supports Canada’s obligations under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, which expresses the commitment of Canada and the United States to restore and maintain the integrity of the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem under the Boundary Waters Treaty.

Today’s announcement for the design and construction of a new water treatment facility in Kirkland Lake is a 35.5 million dollar project in support of improved water quality in the Ottawa and St. Lawrence River watersheds.  It will further help Canada and Ontario meet objectives under federal-provincial agreements, and will contribute to sustainable development goals under the Canada-Québec Agreement on the St. Lawrence. 


Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our Government has enhanced support for public infrastructure by providing almost 12 billion dollars in new infrastructure stimulus funding nation-wide until 2011.  This funding has been helping communities get shovels in the ground to create jobs and stimulate the economy.

We are now entering the second and final important phase of our Government’s Economic Action Plan. Our priority will continue to be the rapid and effective implementation of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, to benefit communities, workers and businesses.

At the same time, we’re already looking ahead to future challenges, which include restoring a balanced budget once our economy is fully recovered and building a strong foundation for our economic future. Over the course of the next few months our government will be meeting with Canadians across the country to review the progress of Part One of the Economic Action Plan.

Investing in our infrastructure is an investment in our future.  With today’s announcement, we are making more progress in providing dependable, efficient public infrastructure across Ontario.
And it is further evidence of the beneficial collaboration between the federal and provincial governments in renewing Ontario’s infrastructure.

We will continue to work with our provincial partners to maximize this economic stimulus and build the high-quality infrastructure that our municipalities and communities need for a strong, bright future.

Together, we will continue to invest in key infrastructure projects that will allow our communities – such as Kirkland Lake – to grow and prosper.

Thank you.