January 7, 2008

TORONTO – The McGuinty government announced today it is investing in 76 communities that have met eligibility requirements for the $8 million Ontario Small Waterworks Assistance Program (OSWAP) as part of the government’s ongoing commitment to support small communities.

“Since 2003, this government has made ongoing investments in water and wastewater systems,” said David Caplan, Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal. “This program is one of many initiatives to assist small communities, particularly those in northern and rural Ontario, who face unique challenges with the financial sustainability and affordability of their drinking water systems.”

OSWAP will provide a total of $8 million in grants over the next five years to help manage drinking water system operating costs for municipalities and local services boards (LSBs) with public drinking water systems serving 1,000 or fewer residents.

“Investing in the management and administration of Ontario’s drinking water resources is an important initiative for our government,” said Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “Today’s announcement shows the government’s commitment to ensuring small communities have the necessary resources to manage their drinking water systems.”

OSWAP is the first part of a new $40 million five-year funding program announced by the province on August 16, 2007. The province is developing criteria for the second portion of the $40 million program, which will provide further assistance to municipalities and LSBs serving small populations.

Expressions of interest for OSWAP were accepted between August 31, 2007 and October 31, 2007. Funds are expected to be issued in early 2008 following the completion of contribution agreements with eligible communities.

In addition to OSWAP, the McGuinty government has invested in several initiatives to help protect Ontario’s public drinking water systems. They include:

• a joint investment with the federal government of almost $380 million through the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) to help 60 small and rural municipalities with water and wastewater projects;
   
• provision of $56 million to 53 municipalities, through the Rural Infrastructure Investment Initiative (RIII), which can be used for water and wastewater;
   
• a commitment to provide up to $1.2 billion in affordable, longer-term financing for water and wastewater projects since 2003 through Infrastructure Ontario’s OSIFA loan program; and
   
• in 2007-08, will provide an additional $300 million under the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative (MIII) to support municipal infrastructure priorities. Water system infrastructure will be eligible.

Criteria are currently being developed for the second portion of the $40 million program, which will provide further assistance to municipalities and LSBs serving small populations.

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Contacts:
Amy Tang
Minister’s Office
Public Infrastructure Renewal
416-325-4048