New Kingsbury Water treatment system inaugurated
took advantage of the inauguration of Kingsbury’s new wastewater treatment facilities to highlight the government support of almost $1.8 million for the installation of two pumping stations and the wastewater treatment plant.
Of this, $1,593,750 came from the Québec-municipal Infrastructure Program and $182,324 from the federal Gas Tax Fund and the Quebec contribution. The Municipality topped off funding for a government-municipal investment totaling more than $2 million.
"This is another case where I could be useful as a member of the Assembly to move the project forward, build bridges, and find solutions” Vallières said. “I am pleased with the financial support given by the Government for this important project for the population. Kingsbury, which has 150 residents, houses a magnificent marsh on the Salmon River and forms a section of the Sentiers de l'estrie. This project has beneficial effects on the environment, but also on socio-economic development."
Kingsbury Mayor Pierre-luc Gagnon added, "I am pleased that the Government of Quebec is supporting this project, which not only allows the Municipality of Kingsbury to upgrade its sanitation facilities, but also makes all citizens aware of their individual and collective responsibility for their health and ecological footprint. Some will say that this is only a drop of water in the St. Francis; I proudly say that it is a clean drop of water. “
The Québec-municipal Infrastructure Program (PIQM) allows Québec municipalities to carry out construction, renovation, or rehabilitation projects for drinking water and sewer infrastructure. As for the Quebec Infrastructure Plan 2017-2027, investments of $7 billion are planned in the municipal infrastructure sector under the responsibility of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy (MAMOT). By adding contributions from the Government of Canada and municipalities, $15 billion will be invested in municipal infrastructure in Quebec over the next ten years.
The federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) provides more than $2 billion annually to Canadian municipalities, representing a long-term, predictable and indexed source of funding. Each year, funding is provided in two installments, in July and November. Under the GTF administrative agreement, the Government of Canada's contribution represents 70.8 per cent of eligible costs, while the Government of Quebec's contribution is 29.2 per cent.