Newfoundland and Labrador has announced over $14 million in joint federal-provincial-municipal funding through the Small Communities Fund to support 20 infrastructure projects on the west coast of the island, eighteen of which are water-related.
Premier Dwight Ball was joined at the announcement by Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation and MHA for St. Barbe – L’Anse aux Meadows; Gudie Hutchings, MP for Long Range Mountains; John Finn, MHA for Stephenville – Port au Port; Scott Reid, MHA for St. George’s – Humber; and Joseph Reid, Mayor of Norris Point.
“We are pleased to be receiving funding for Phase 3 of our water main project. This funding helps us provide a better quality of service to our residents, businesses, hospital and the expanding tourism industry,” said Mayor Reid. “Without partnerships with the federal and provincial governments, our small town would not be able to complete these improvements to our infrastructure, for that we are very grateful.”
The province will provide more than $1.1 million to Norris Point for Phase 3 water main upgrades at Main Street. This project is valued at over $2 million and will contribute to ensuring residents have access to high quality drinking water.
The provincial government is contributing over $6.9 million towards these projects, and the federal government is contributing over $4.2 million. The municipalities involved will provide more than $1.5 million.
“These vital investments in Newfoundland and Labrador’s water infrastructure reflect the Government of Canada’s commitment to building sustainable communities that meet people’s needs now, and into the future,” said MP Hutchings. “We will continue working in close collaboration with our partners to ensure we make smart infrastructure investments that help protect the environment and preserve public health….”
These are part of the 72 projects that that provincial government is cost-sharing with the federal and municipal governments under the Small Communities Fund in 2018–19. Through Budget 2018, the provincial government provided $18.8 million to leverage an additional $12.7 million in federal funds from the Small Communities Fund. This will result in total project values of approximately $42.9 million. The full list of water-related projects announced for the west coast are listed below.
| Community | Project | Total Cost | Provincial Contribution |
| Bay St. George South (Jeffreys) | New Artesian Well & Associated Work | $145,000 | $74,516 |
| Bay St. George South (Jeffreys) | Water Distribution System Upgrades | $780,000
|
$400,845
|
| Burgeo
|
Water Main Replacement, Phase 3 | $525,483
|
$270,047
|
| Channel-Port aux Basques | Taylor’s Lane/Anderson’s Lane Storm Sewer Replacement and Reconstruction | $333,291
|
$141,055
|
| Cow Head | Storm Surge Disaster Mitigation | $245,000
|
$125,906
|
| Deer Lake | High Street Water, Sewer & Storm Upgrade- Phase 1 | $1,500,000
|
$634,830
|
| Fox Roost-Margaree | Water Supply Improvements | $72,739
|
$37,381
|
| Hughes Brook | Chlorination/Pumphouse Building | $675,000
|
$346,885
|
| Irishtown-Summerside
|
Water System Intake Upgrades Phase 1A | $245,000
|
$125,906
|
| Isle aux Morts
|
Water Main Replacement, Phase 2 | $250,000
|
$128,476
|
| Kippens
|
McCarthy’s Lane Storm Sewer | $890,000
|
$457,374
|
| Lark Harbour
|
Proposed Water and Sewer, Phase 4 | $1,500,000
|
$770,855
|
| Mainland
|
Water System Improvements Phase 4 | $255,000
|
$131,045
|
| Norris Point
|
Main Street Watermain Upgrade – Phase 3 | $2,180,000 | $1,120,309
|
| Port Saunders
|
Water Storage Tank Replacement | $1,610,000
|
$827,384
|
| Ramea
|
Town of Ramea Water and Sanitary Sewer Upgrades | $250,000
|
$128,476
|
| Stephenville Crossing
|
Seal Cove Road Water, Sewer & Road Upgrade, Phase 1 | $500,000
|
$256,952
|
| Trout River
|
Main Street Water & Sewer Upgrade | $750,000
|
$385,427
|
The support for municipal infrastructure delivers on commitments made in the provincial government’s plan, The Way Forward, to strengthen the province’s economic foundation and deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the province is taking to achieve its goals and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.
