Project will help protect the Elk River

The City of Fernie last Friday (Feb. 9) received $652,800 from the Government of Canada through the Gas Tax Fund transfer to improve its wastewater treatment system and help protect the Elk River for future generations.

“Our government is proud to invest in this project to ensure that water returned to the Elk River meets or even exceeds treatment standards,” said David Wilks, Member of Parliament for Kootenay—Columbia. “Infrastructure investments are an important driver of economic growth and job creation, and I am pleased that these upgrades will help protect the environment and the health of Fernie residents.”

The upgrades will help the city to more effectively discharge treated wastewater and thereby preserve the water quality and health of the Elk River. The length of the current outfall will be extended by 75 metres, enabling it to reach the main channel of the river.

The total cost of the project is estimated at $816,000, which will include a contribution of $163,200 from the city.

“The health of our communities is essential to the social and economic success of our province,” said Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett. “These types of water quality projects are an important part of upgrading community infrastructure that is good for the environment, and provides for the future growth of the community.”

Mayor Mary Giuliano said the city is “very grateful” for the funding support.

“On behalf of city council and the residents of Fernie I would like to thank the Government of Canada for their contribution to this project,” she stated. “The outfall improvement will bring the city in compliance with the new B.C. Provincial Municipal Wastewater Regulation and proposed draft Federal Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations and will contribute to cleaner water which will benefit the critical fisheries habitat as well as downstream recreational users of the Elk River.”

The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) coordinates/administers the delivery of Gas Tax Funds and is happy to have been able to approve the funds for Fernie, said past-president Heath Slee, who is Regional District of East Kootenay Electoral Area B director. Slee stood at the Feb. 8 presentation at the Fernie Seniors’ Drop-in Centre for current UBCM president Mary Sjostrom.

Senior government level funding help is “vital” support for municipalities striving to meet infrastructure needs, he said.

‘It’s good for the UBCM to hear first-hand how communities are improving their infrastructure,” he said.

“Bringing water and wastewater systems up-to-standard is a top priority for many BC communities. I appreciate the support the federal government is providing to allow this upgrade to get underway,” Sjostrom stated in a press release.

Since 2006, the Government of Canada has made unprecedented investments in infrastructure. Through the Gas Tax Fund alone, municipalities across the country have received over $10 billion in transfers for local priority initiatives. Making this fund permanent at $2 billion annually was part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan – a plan to help create good jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity.

Between 2007 and 2014, British Columbia will receive more than $1.48 billion from the Gas Tax Fund to improve local infrastructure. The UBCM administers the Gas Tax Fund in BC, in collaboration with Canada and British Columbia.

For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure and to stay up-to-date with Web feeds, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca.

To find out what the Government of Canada is doing to promote jobs, growth and prosperity, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

Above photo: Kootenay-Columbia MP David Wilks, Fernie Mayor Mary Giuliano, RDEK Electoral Area B director Heath Slee and Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett during the Feb. 8 announcement of the funding at the Fernie Seniors’ Drop-in Centre.

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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