Gates urges funding for Niagara wastewater plant
MPP argues provincial cash critical in moving project forward
Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates is calling on the provincial government to release funding to support a “much-needed” south Niagara wastewater treatment plant, which would be the largest and most expensive infrastructure undertaking in Niagara Region’s 54-year history.
“Last year, representatives from Niagara Region came to Queen’s Park with several straightforward asks. One of them being a commitment to funding for a south Niagara wastewater solution project,” said Gates during question period at Queen’s Park Tuesday.
“Members of the Region were able to secure that commitment. Although members of the Region were able to get that commitment, funding was only guaranteed if the federal government introduced an infrastructure program that would support the cost-sharing structure.”
He said the provincial and federal governments “must each do their part,” but the Region stated it “must move forward with this critical project now.”
“This government says they want municipalities to build thousands of more homes and they’ve given targets. Yet, we all know when we continue to build, we must ensure municipalities’ infrastructure keeps pace. When we build more homes, we have more water waste,” said Gates.
“Ensuring we have appropriate wastewater treatment infrastructure in place in Niagara continues to grow. It is vitally important to our community and our environment.”
Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma said the provincial government announced an $825-million water infrastructure program in its most recent budget.
She said the intake process closed last Friday at midnight.
“I encouraged municipalities across the province to apply. I have for two years been asking the federal government to partner with us, so that we could support municipalities. They didn’t see that as important as we have, but nonetheless, we would be happy to continue to work with Niagara Region,” said Surma.
“I know that there are probably several applications within the intake, and we will let (provincial) staff and officials do their jobs. But I certainly hope that we can work together in the future.”
The Niagara Falls plant recently took another step forward with a public works committee recommendation to award a contract for detailed design and construction services.
The plan will be able to handle 30 million litres of wastewater daily. It will take three years to build, cost an estimated $400 million to construct and supplant the $100-million Burgoyne Bridge replacement in St. Catharines as the Region’s most expensive project.
Engineering consulting firm Stantec Inc. from Toronto won the competitive request for proposals process, and the endorsement of the public works committee earlier this month, with a bid of about $12.6 million to design the first phase of the plant and its outfall.
The full council will vote on the recommendation Thursday.
The Region took possession of the property at 6811 Reixinger Rd. in January. Construction is expected to start in 2026, contingent on funding support from upper levels of government.
The project’s capital cost is contingent on $145 million in external funding.