Leeds-Grenville Member of Parliament Gord Brown, along with Environment Minister, The Honourable John Baird, seated left, and Merrickville-Wolford Mayor Doug Struthers, seated right, recently announced a $2 million investment by the federal government in a new sewage treatment plant for Merrickville. 

New Facility In Merrickville To Receive $2 Million 

Merrickville, Ontario — The Honourable John Baird, Minister of Environment, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities; and Gord Brown, Member of Parliament for Leeds-Grenville, today announced the Government of Canada considers the construction of a new sewage treatment plant in Merrickville a priority for federal infrastructure funding. They were joined by Douglas Struthers, Mayor of Merrickville-Wolford.

“Protecting and preserving our environment is a priority for Canadians and our Government,” said Minister Baird.  “Thanks to the hard work of your Member of Parliament, Gord Brown, our Government proudly supports the modernization of the Merrickville wastewater treatment plant.  By taking real action with this investment we are building on the Government of Canada’s Action Plan for Clean Water to improve water quality not only in Merrickville, but in communities along the Rideau River.”

The federal contribution would be up to one-third of total eligible costs, up to a maximum federal contribution of $2 million. The total estimated cost of the Merrickville sewage treatment plant project is $6 million.

“The Government of Canada is delivering on its commitment to support infrastructure investments which protect the environment and improve quality of life,” said MP Brown. “As a member of this community I understand the construction of a new sewage treatment plant in Merrickville will help the community to maintain a healthy and clean environment which is also important to its presence in the region.”

The project includes the replacement of the existing sewage treatment plant with a new sequencing batch reactor plant, which will improve effluent quality, provide improved treatment and storage of biosolids, and allow for treatment of rural septage within the municipality.

“This is a significant step in our municipality’s need to replace our sewage treatment plant,” said Merrickville Mayor Doug Struthers. “Today’s announcement indicates that the federal government is responding to municipal infrastructure needs, and the presence of the federal Minister of the Environment indicates a clear understanding of the unique circumstance of Merrickville requiring immediate financial assistance. This funding will assist our efforts in pursuing addition financial assistance from the provincial government.”

“Our Government understands that Ontarians want clean water, safer streets and healthier communities. Which is why we’re here today taking action,” said Minister Baird. 

Funding for this project comes from the $200 million announced in February 2007, to top up the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund nation-wide. Ontario’s allocation of this additional funding is $64 million.

Since the announcement of this additional funding, the Government of Canada has signed agreements with every province and territory except Ontario. Today, the Government of Canada announced it is proceeding to allocate its funding of $64 million under this program to unfunded existing applications for municipal water and wastewater infrastructure from the last round of applications to the fund (Intake 3).

Federal financial support for the project is conditional on the initiative meeting all applicable eligibility requirements and other program criteria to be approved by Treasury Board, a federal review of the project, the successful completion of an environmental assessment, assurance by the municipality that the remaining project costs have been fully financed and accounted for, and the signing of a contribution agreement for the project detailing the project elements and any other federal requirements.