Residents in Terrace to Benefit from Improved Waste Management System

TERRACE, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Sept. 16, 2016) - Investing in infrastructure is vital to creating middle class jobs today and sustained economic growth for years to come. Canadians count on effective and reliable municipal services, such as water and wastewater treatment systems, to assure a healthy environment for their families and to sustain a vibrant and growing local economy.

Thanks to support from the federal Gas Tax Fund, residents in the Terrace area will benefit from improved waste management through upgrades to the Forceman Ridge Solid Waste Management Facility and the Thornhill Transfer Station.

Together, these two facilities will comprise a state-of-the-art waste management system that will provide the Terrace area with modern solid waste solutions. Designed to high engineer standards and combined with an enhanced wastewater treatment system, the new system will provide a high degree of environmental protection for decades to come.

The Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine received over $2.8 million from the federal Gas Tax Fund toward the total cost of $15.4 million for the Forceman Ridge Solid Waste Management Facility and Thornhill Transfer Station, with the balance of funding to be provided by the Regional District.

The Government of Canada provides over $265 million in indexed funding for local government infrastructure projects across British Columbia through the federal Gas Tax Fund. The funding can be spent on any eligible project the community prioritizes across a broad range of eligible project categories, or it can be pooled with other communities for regional projects, banked for later priorities or used to pay for financed projects.

The Union of BC Municipalities administers the federal Gas Tax Fund in British Columbia in partnership with the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.

Quick Facts



-- The Government of Canada contributed $2.8 million towards this $15.4
million project through the federal Gas Tax Fund.
-- The balance of funding is to be provided by the Regional District of
Kitimat-Stikine.
-- The new facilities will help the Regional District to fulfill its
commitments under its Solid Waste Management Plan and Climate Action
Charter.
-- The federal Gas Tax Fund provides Canadian municipalities with a
permanent, predictable and indexed source of long-term funding.
-- It offers local communities the flexibility to make strategic
investments across 18 different project categories, including roads and
bridges, public transit, drinking water and wastewater infrastructure,
and recreational facilities.



Quotes

"The Government of Canada is proud to invest in infrastructure improvements that contribute to BC's economy, help to protect the environment and enhance the quality of life for Canadians. This project and others like it are part of the federal government's commitment to build safer and more resilient communities, which is critical for attracting economic opportunities for the middle class and those trying to join it."

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"The Province of British Columbia continues to support its communities through infrastructure improvements that will provide a better level of service for residents within the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine. This new solid waste management facility and retrofitted transfer station will ensure advanced technology is used to enhance solid waste solutions and reduce environmental impact for all residents."

The Honourable Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development

"Advances in technology are helping to reduce the environmental impact of landfills, but this technology comes at a cost. Federal investments from the Gas Tax Fund are helping BC communities to build better landfills that safeguard groundwater sources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

Al Richmond, President, Union of B.C. Municipalities

"This has been a long process to align our Terrace Area communities to be solid waste management leaders in the Province and provide most of our residents with convenient and affordable diversion opportunities. This funding has made it easier for the Regional District to move forward and improve the efficiency and standard of solid waste management in our region while reducing our environmental impact, including greenhouse gas emissions. We are thankful to have partnered on this significant undertaking with the governments of Canada and British Columbia along with our Union of British Columbia Municipalities. Their support is very much appreciated."

Stacey Tyers, Chair, Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine

Associated Links

Federal infrastructure investments in British Columbia

Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada's new $120 billion infrastructure plan

Federal Gas Tax Fund

Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine

Twitter: @INFC_eng

Web: Infrastructure Canada

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Brook Simpson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-219-0149
brook.simpson@canada.ca


Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250-356-6334


Roger Tooms
Works and Services Manager
Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine
250-615-6100


Paul Taylor
Director of Communications
UBCM
250-356-2938


Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
media@infc.gc.ca