Government representatives gathered today to witness progress made on the Skyway Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion and upgrades – the largest infrastructure capital project undertaken to date in Halton Region. Work includes expanding the facilities for preliminary treatment, upgrading the secondary treatment process, and constructing a new tertiary treatment facility.
“Our government understands the importance of upgrading the Skyway facility to ensure the health and well-being of this growing region,” said Mike Wallace, Member of Parliament for Burlington, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec. “This project is not only creating local jobs and contributing to the economy, it is supporting future growth and will protect the environment for decades to come.”
“Upgrading the Skyway facility will improve the quality of life for local residents and create jobs now and for the future,” said Jeff Leal, Ontario Minister of Rural Affairs. “This investment is part of the Ontario government’s economic plan to invest in people, invest in infrastructure and support a dynamic and innovative business climate.”
“The expansion and upgrade of the Skyway plant will help Halton Region provide safe and effective wastewater treatment for our growing communities while protecting the sensitive environment of the bay,” said Regional Chair Gary Carr. “This project also highlights the funding partnerships with all levels of government that are critical to our ability to meet our long-term infrastructure needs.”
Improvements to the plant will ensure sufficient treatment capacity to support projected population growth in Burlington to 2031, as outlined in Halton Region’s Wastewater 2011 Master Plan. By increasing the capacity of preliminary treatment, the plant will be better equipped to deal with future flows as well as wet weather flows. Improvements to the secondary treatment process, and the addition of tertiary treatment for wastewater being discharged from the plant, will help meet Hamilton Harbour’s enhanced environmental protection needs. The project is scheduled to be completed in summer 2015.
The Government of Canada is contributing up to $51.5 million through the Green Infrastructure Fund toward eligible project costs. The Province of Ontario is contributing $51.5 million, while Halton Region is contributing the balance of the total eligible project cost of $158.9 million.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2013 is delivering a New Building Canada Plan to build roads, bridges, subways, commuter rail, and other public infrastructure in cooperation with provinces, territories, and municipalities. Thanks to the Government of Canada’s leadership and our strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Canada has been a leader among G-7 countries throughout the recovery with more than 1 million net new jobs created since July 2009. The New Building Canada Plan, combined with other federal infrastructure investments, will support Canada’s infrastructure advantage, a key enabler of economic growth and job creation.
These investments also support Building Together, the Province of Ontario’s long-term infrastructure plan to repair, rebuild and renew the province’s roads and highways, bridges, public transit, schools and postsecondary institutions, hospitals and courthouses. Since 2003, Ontario has invested approximately $85 billion in infrastructure. Building modern, efficient infrastructure has created or preserved close to 100,000 jobs each year, on average, making Ontario’s economy more productive and improving quality of life, now and in the future.
