PEMBERTON, BC, July 19,
2024 /CNW/ - Two communities in the Sea to Sky
Country are receiving upgrades to their water infrastructure
This was announced by Patrick
Weiler, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver – Sunshine Coast – Sea to Sky Country, Minister
Anne Kang, and Councillor Ted
Craddock.
Pemberton will make upgrades
after a combined investment of more than $8.1 million from the federal and provincial
governments, and the Village of
Pemberton. This project will construct a new water treatment
plant to provide efficient and reliable water treatment services.
It will include an oxidation and filtration system to lower iron
and manganese levels in the source water, thereby increasing
quality of the drinking water.
Also, following a combined investment of more than $1.5 million from the federal government and
Líl̓wat Nation, with support from the Government of B.C.,
rehabilitation and improvements are underway at Grandmother Slough,
a fish-bearing stream within the Lillooet River floodplain. This
project includes removing invasive reed canary grass, upgrading
four culverts at two major crossings – Main Street and Highway 99
East – to improve water flow capacity, enhancing hydrometric
monitoring, and restoring natural infrastructure to protect the
salmon habitat. These upgrades will safeguard infrastructure,
preserve the environment, and mitigate the impacts on water quality
and ecosystems during future flood events.
Quotes
"Safe and reliable drinking water is essential to support
growing communities. Today's announcement of close to $10 million for two critical water projects will
support residents across our region. In Pemberton, the construction of a new water
treatment plant will ensure year-round access to clean and reliable
water. Flood protection measures will safeguard homes, roads, and
lands of the Líl̓wat Nation, while preserving salmon habitat.
These investments will ensure clean, high-quality drinking water
and protect residents and the environment for many years to come.
The Government of Canada is
committed to working with Indigenous peoples and all orders of
government to deliver local infrastructure projects like these that
help build more resilient communities for everyone."
Patrick Weiler, Member of
Parliament for West Vancouver -
Sunshine Coast - Sea to Sky
Country, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of
Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
"The new Water Treatment Plant gives Pemberton residents and visitors access to
reliable, high-quality water to support a healthy community for
years to come. I am proud of the work and partnership between all
orders of government to ensure communities have the efficient
essential services they need."
The Honourable Anne Kang, Minister of Municipal
Affairs
"Climate change is increasing the severity of climate-related
disasters across B.C., and it's incumbent on all levels of
government to step up to protect people and communities against
flooding and other extreme weather events. We're supporting the
Grandmother Slough stream project to not only improve the Lil'wat
Nation's flood resilience, but to help preserve the vulnerable
salmon habitat and ecosystem for future generations, creating a
safer and more future-proofed community for both people and
wildlife."
The Honourable Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency
Management and Climate Readiness
"On behalf of Mayor, Council, and the Village of Pemberton
Staff, we are thrilled to announce this significant investment in
our community's water infrastructure. The construction of a new
Water Treatment Plant represents our dedication to the health and
well-being of our community, ensuring residents continue to have
access to safe, high-quality drinking water. As a growing
community, it is essential that we stay ahead of future needs and
plan responsibly. This project is a crucial next step in that
direction, providing current and future residents with sustainable,
safe, and reliable water resources. We extend our gratitude to the
federal government and the Government of British Columbia for this generous support,
which makes this vital project possible."
Ted Craddock, Councillor for Village of Pemberton
"This project will help restore and strengthen an area of both
historical and ecological importance to the Nation.
Grandmother Slough has long been central to our community and its
rehabilitation will greatly benefit our local ecosystem and
environment."
Dean Nelson, Chief
of Líl̓wat Nation
Quick Facts
- The federal government is investing $3,263,600 through the
Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing
in Canada Infrastructure Program in the Water Treatment
Plant. The Government of British Columbia is
investing $2,719,395 and the Village of Pemberton is contributing $2,176,005.
- The federal government is investing $1,175,404 through the
Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing
in Canada Infrastructure Program in the Grandmother
Slough Climate Adaptation Project. The Líl̓wat Nation, with
support from the Government of British
Columbia, is contributing $391,801.
- The Green Infrastructure Stream contributes to building greener
communities by reducing air and water pollution, providing clean
water, increasing resilience to climate change, and fostering a
clean-growth economy.
- Including today's announcement, over 129 infrastructure
projects under the Green Infrastructure Stream have been announced
in British Columbia, with a total
federal contribution of more than $551
million and a total provincial contribution of nearly
$347 million.
- Under the Investing in Canada Plan, the federal
government is investing more than $180 billion over
12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure,
social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes,
and Canada's rural and northern communities.
Associated Links
Investing in Canada:
Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure
Plan
https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.htmlhttps://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html
Green Infrastructure Stream
https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/plan/gi-iv-eng.html
Federal infrastructure investments in British Columbia
Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada - Infrastructure in
British Columbia
Strengthened Climate Plan
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html
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SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities