No St. John’s wastewater project funding yet

Ministers, premier suggest decision ‘getting close’

The City of St. John’s is still without a commitment from the federal government that would allow for the legally required upgrade of the Riverhead Wastewater Treatment Plant to proceed, to the tune of an estimated $200 million (project total).

That’s an estimate from 2015, mentioned by a then-campaigning Justin Trudeau, who committed the Liberals to providing a federal share in the project.

Despite the campaign promise, the money has yet to materialize.

Meanwhile, the clock is winding down on the time permitted to the city to come in line with new, federal wastewater regulations.

Liberal ministers and Premier Dwight Ball were asked about the project on Monday, after the announcement of a new provincial-federal agreement for infrastructure funding, including funds able to go to wastewater projects. Their suggestion was the city’s project would be handled separate from that funding announcement and $556 million to flow over 10 years — not taking away from the total.

“Obviously, you don’t come to St. John’s without thinking about this (city) project,” said federal Infrastructure and Communities Minister Francois-philippe Champagne, when asked about the facility on Southside Road.

“This is a landmark project that the prime minister talked about. I think that, you know, there’s good news coming. And we’re going to be working with the provinces obviously to look at that. My department, we’re looking at that. This is going to be additional funds that are going to be coming to the province. And like Minister O’regan said, one quality I have is to be impatient. So I’ve impressed upon our department to do their due diligence, because we’re talking about public funds, so we need to make sure that all the aspects are looked at to invest properly these funds. But I can rest assured the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, this is top of my list when it comes to a future visit to St. John’s in the very near future.”

As for whether or not it will come before the next election? Minister and MP for St. John’s South-mount Pearl Seamus O’regan said something could be expected in short order.

“I’ve informed the minister that there are, I think, three daily directs between Montreal and St. John’s,” O’regan said with a smile, “and we look forward to a visit very, very soon.”

Premier Dwight Ball said the St. John’s wastewater project was subject of “a separate announcement and discussions that we’re having,” saying all levels of government are anxious to move it ahead.

Ball spoke about how the new 10-year infrastructure commitment signed by himself and Champagne could help with community wastewater needs, among other concerns.

“He’s always welcome to come back with the good news around that (city) project as well,” the premier said.