The governments of Canada and British Columbia recognize how important investing in modern reliable water services is to building healthy sustainable communities.

Today, Marco Mendicino, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, and Ronna Rae Leonard, Member of Legislative Assembly for Courtenay–Comox, on behalf of the Honourable Selina Robinson, B.C. Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, announced more than $62.8 million in federal-provincial funding for a new drinking water treatment plant in the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD).

This project involves developing a new water treatment system to serve communities in the CVRD, including new intake infrastructure, pumping stations and pipelines, force mains and transmission mains, and a filtration facility with an educational space for the general public.

Once complete, the new infrastructure will reduce boil water advisories and provide clean safe drinking water to 45,000 residents in the City of Courtenay, the Town of Comox, six regional communities and the K’omoks First Nation.

Quotes

“The Government of Canada is committed to addressing inequalities and building a better relationship with Indigenous Peoples based on the recognition of rights, respect, cooperation, and partnership. By investing in this crucial new water system in the CVRD, we will help close the gaps in services to ensure everyone in the region has access to a safe reliable supply of drinking water for years to come.”

Marco Mendicino, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“People in the Comox area have been waiting for clean drinking water for too long. We’re funding this project to support people’s health, the local economy and the environment. Working with all levels of governments and Indigenous communities, our government is making smart investments in core services like clean drinking water for Comox area residents today, while helping build public infrastructure for the next generation.”

Ronna Rae Leonard, Member of Legislative Assembly for Courtenay-Comox

“The generous funding committed today allows us to move forward with a new treatment system that will protect the health of our residents at a cost that is affordable for Comox Valley Water System users. The installation of temporary UV treatment will help to reduce the negative impact of boil water notices on our community as we await the construction of our new system. Thank you to our staff who have taken the initiative to implement this interim technology and who continue to work tirelessly to move this project forward.”

Bob Wells, Chair of the Comox Valley Water Committee

Quick facts

• Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion across Canada over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
• $26.9 billion of this funding will support green infrastructure projects, including $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
• The Government of Canada will invest $3.917 billion in B.C. infrastructure through the Plan.
• The Government of Canada is providing more than $34.3 million and the Government of B.C. is providing more than $28.6 million to this project through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan.
• The CVRD will contribute $54.9 million to the Comox Valley Water Treatment Project and the K’ómoks First Nation and other potential users will commit $7.4 million to the Water Service (South) Extension Project.
• Today’s announcement marks the first project to be approved under the Green Infrastructure Stream in B.C., made possible through the signing of a new Canada-British Columbia bilateral agreement signed earlier this year.

Associated links

Investing in Canada: Canada’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan:

http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html

Investing in Canada Plan Project Map:

http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map

Federal infrastructure investments in British Columbia: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/bc-eng.html

Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program - B.C. program website: www.gov.bc.ca/Investing-in-Canada-Infrastructure-Program