I would like to explain to the residents of the Flin Flon Constituency some of the positive steps our government took this past summer to address some of the infrastructure challenges we face.
While our infrastructure goals are being met all over the province, with roads, bridges and flood prevention, particularly here in the North, we are meeting the needs of municipalities when it comes to clean drinking water.
Our aging wastewater system is decades old and needs to be replaced. This is a challenge for local governments who cannot afford to make upgrades by themselves. That’s why this past summer, our government made northern wastewater upgrades a priority.
We’re helping the Town of Snow Lake replace approximately 500 metres of aging water and wastewater lines. The province has committed its one-third towards this $2-million clean-water project, an investment of over $650,000.
Our NDP government is also investing $1.3 million to replace one of Flin Flon’s heating plants, which distributes drinking water and heats the waterlines to prevent them from freezing for over 140 homes and 94 businesses in the downtown area.
I fully support the City of Flin Flon, who successfully applied for this funding through the Small Communities Fund.
I know some people have asked whether we could take funding from one provincial department and move it into a different project under a different department, but unfortunately that’s not really possible.
But now that the provincial portion is committed, I encourage them to find the political will to meet their financial challenges head-on, and commit to moving ahead with this shared project.
Our funding commitment for this project is solid. As evidence, we have been making investments Flin Flon’s water treatment plant for years.
Since 2011 we’ve invested over $4.4 million to upgrade the plant, benefitting all nearby families who need these essential services.
Two years ago, our government made a commitment to invest $5.5 billion over five years into much-needed core infrastructure programs all over Manitoba.
I am proud to be part of this NDP government and proud to keep working for families like yours.
