EAR FALLS, ON — An official ceremony yesterday marked the completion of upgrades to eight local roads in Ear Falls. Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora was present for the ceremony. This project included joint funding from the federal, provincial and municipal governments. The Honourable Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; and Rob Doyle, Deputy Mayor of the Township of Ear Falls, are also pleased to see this important Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) project reach completion.
 
Work on this project included replacing existing sidewalks, installing new curbs and gutters where required, regrading roads to improve drainage, in-place processing of existing asphalt and repaving roads.
 
The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario each committed up to $489,953 to the project. The Township of Ear Falls committed the balance of the project’s total eligible cost of $1,469,860.
 
“Through collaborative projects like this, our government is investing in the future of our northern communities and we remain committed to rebuilding community infrastructure,” said MP Rickford. “These improvements enhance public safety and also support local tourism and economic development.”
 
“Local infrastructure improvements help create jobs for families and make our rural communities stronger,” said Minister Dombrowsky. “We are working hard to ensure that people have a safe and prosperous place to work and live.”
 
“We are pleased to have worked with the federal and provincial governments to improve eight of our community’s most travelled roads,” said Deputy Mayor Doyle. “These upgrades ensure the safety and improved mobility of local residents and visitors.”
 
Under the COMRIF program, the governments of Canada and Ontario are working together with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and local partners to respond to local needs through infrastructure upgrades providing clean, safe drinking water, better sewage systems, improved waste management processes, safer local roads and bridges, as well as other health and safety priorities.
 
For further information on the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, please visit www.comrif.ca.