OTTAWA, ON – Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora, was pleased to announce today that the Township of Ignace’s water treatment plant project has been approved for a project extension under the Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program (COIP).

In working with the Department of Industry, the Government of Canada has granted the Kekwanzik Lake Water Supply System Construction Project a one year extension, bringing its final completion deadline to March 31, 2010.
 
“This extension will allow the Township of Ignace to complete this project in a timely manner and submit their eligible costs for reimbursement under the COIP,” said Rickford. “The Township may also be eligible for additional federal funding, due to increased costs to comply with changes to drinking water regulations under the Ontario Potable Water Program (OPWP),” added Rickford.
 
“This is certainly good news for our Township,” said Ignace’s mayor, Lionel Cloutier. “The completion of this project will end a boil water advisory that has been in effect in our community since July 2007.” Mayor Cloutier added, “The successful completion of this project will ensure 665 households finally have access to safe and reliable drinking water.”
 
The Township of Ignace’s water treatment plant project was originally approved for federal funding on March 3, 2005, under the COIP. The federal and provincial governments each committed up to two-thirds of the project’s total eligible cost at that time. But as a result of additional construction issues, costs for the Township’s project increased.
 
The Township of Ignace provides a full range of services including three schools, community health centre, library, two financial institutions, ambulance service, arena, bowling alley, fitness centre, seniors centre, volunteer fire services, golf course, soccer and baseball fields to name a few. This major infrastructure project is very important to the people within this community and is a great example of federal, provincial and municipal governments all working together for the betterment of the people.