Lake Country gets $4 million dollar grant for waste water treatment
The District of Lake Country will receive $4.1 million from the Government of Canada through the Gas Tax Fund to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant.
“Infrastructure investments are an important driver of economic growth and job creation, and I am pleased that the new facility will help protect the environment and the health of Lake Country residents,” said Ron Cannan, Member of Parliament for Kelowna—Lake Country. “Our government is proud to invest in the upgrades to Lake Country’s wastewater facility to support the growing needs of the region for years to come.”
This project will integrate energy-efficient, green technology and the latest scientific advancements to increase the plant’s capacity. These steps will help ensure the plant can meet the current and future needs of the community, and protect the local environment.
“This important infrastructure upgrade project will advance public health and environmental protection throughout the region, and maintain the prosperity of the area for residents and visitors,” said Mayor James Baker. “We are grateful for the investment and leadership provided by the Government of Canada and Province of British Columbia through the Gas Tax Fund.”
The $7-million project also includes $2.6 million from District reserves and borrowing.
Of the $4.1 million from the federal Gas Tax Fund, $1.1 million is made available from the Regional District of Central Okanagan’s annual Gas Tax Fund allocation and $3 million is from UBCM’s application-based program for capital projects. The project also includes an additional $300,000 from the Regional District of Central Okanagan’s reserves.
“This project is an outstanding model for the use of advanced, energy-efficient green technology at the local level,” said Norm Letnick for MLA Kelowna-Lake Country. “The B.C. government’s partnership with the federal government and the Union of BC Municipalities in the Gas Tax Fund is helping to put these types of key infrastructures in place to create healthier, more sustainable communities for British Columbians and their families.”
“When core services are at peak capacity, it limits opportunities for growth and development,” said UBCM President Mary Sjostrom. “I appreciate the support of the federal government through the Gas Tax Fund for this upgrade to Lake Country’s wastewater system.”
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 Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) administers the Gas Tax Fund in BC, in collaboration with Canada and British Columbia.
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