Canada-Quebec Partnership to Benefit Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines

Published on 12 juillet 2010

Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, Quebec, July 12, 2010  – The Minister of Natural Resources of Canada, the Honourable Christian Paradis, and the Member of the National Assembly for Vimont and Deputy Government Whip for Quebec, Vincent Auclair, on behalf of the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, Laurent Lessard, are pleased to announce a joint financial contribution of $1,090,500 for projects in Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines under a federal-provincial agreement made in relation to the Program for the renewal of drinking water and wastewater pipes (PRECO). Together with the city’s contribution, this investment, estimated at $1,635,750, will fund major infrastructure work in Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines.

“Through its contribution to PRECO, our government is helping to create jobs, which is stimulating the regional economy,” declared Minister Paradis. “Today’s announcement is a tangible example of the close collaboration between Canada, Quebec and municipalities to invest all PRECO funds as quickly as possible.”

“Through PRECO, Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines will be able to consolidate its drinking water supply, thus providing its residents with a better quality of life. These major investments will support job creation in the region, ensuring the sustainable development of a prosperous Quebec,” added MNA Auclair.

A simple and innovative program, PRECO enables Quebec municipalities to restore or replace their water mains, sewers and storm sewers. Investment priorities are set by the municipalities in accordance with action plans submitted to the Quebec Department of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy. The municipalities can choose between repair and replacement, thus enjoying broader autonomy. There are over 80,000 kilometres of municipal underground water and sewer mains in Quebec, estimated to be worth over $60 billion.

The Canada and Quebec governments have allocated a total of $700 million for projects funded under this program. When combined with municipal contributions, over $1 billion has been made available for eligible projects due for completion by December 31, 2010.

The Government of Canada’s contribution to PRECO comes from the new $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan announced in the January 2009 budget to create jobs and stimulate the economy. This fund, delivered by Infrastructure Canada, has facilitated the announcement of over 4,000 infrastructure projects across the country. The Government of Canada has earmarked up to $350 million of this fund for PRECO projects.

The Quebec government’s $350 million contribution comes from its Plan québécois des infrastructures, in which Quebec is investing more than $42.6 billion between 2009 and 2014, with $3.7 billion reserved for municipal infrastructure.