The next edition of the Ottawa Report is scheduled to be sent Monday, April 15.
Latest News
Ministers Clarify “No New Roads” Comments
On March 21, the House Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities held a “Briefing on Infrastructure in Canada.” This meeting was called following the surprising comments from Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault earlier this year that Canada would not be investing in any “new roads,” which he quickly backtracked.
The meeting included the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, Sean Fraser, the Minister of Transport, Pablo Rodriguez, and Guilbeault. They were joined by departmental officials to answer questions from the committee members.
The Ministers clarified that there has been no policy change that would result in a halt in infrastructure investment. Minister Guilbeault told the committee that the government had invested $1.6 billion in road infrastructure since 2015. He reiterated his clarifying statement that his comments were intended only to relate to the Troisieme Lien project in Quebec.
Legislative Updates
Upcoming Debates
When the House resumes sitting in April after the Easter break, priority will be given to Bill C-61, An Act respecting water, source water, drinking water, wastewater and related infrastructure on First Nation lands. Tuesday, April 9, will be an Opposition Day.
Private Members’ Business
- Monday, April 8: Resuming Second Reading Debate on Bill C-351, An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (maximum security offenders)
- Tuesday, April 9: Commencing Second Reading Debate on Bill C-379, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (motor vehicle theft)
- Wednesday, April 10: Resuming Second Reading Debate on Bill C-356, An Act respecting payments by Canada and requirements in respect of housing and to amend certain other Acts
- Thursday, April 11: Resuming Second Reading Debate on Bill S-216, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (use of resources of a registered charity)
- Friday, April 12: Commencing Second Reading Debate on Bill C-377, An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (need to know)
Departmental Updates
Sewage Maintenance Investment in Nova Scotia
The Hon. Sean Fraser, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia, Tom Taggart, Commissioner Kevin Kennedy, and Mayor Christine Blair of Colchester Country announced a partnership investment of $5,885,000 to increase capacity to manage sewage in two communities in Colchester County.
The federal government is investing $2,354,000 through the Green Infrastructure and Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure streams of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Nova Scotia is investing $1,961,667 in both projects. The Municipality of the County of Colchester is contributing $1,452,000 to the expansion of the Debert Sewage Treatment Plant. The Village of Bible Hill is investing $117,333 in sanitary sewer improvements.
Caitline Creek Maintenance Investment in British Columbia
Member of Parliament Patrick Weiler, West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, Minister Bowinn Ma, and the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) Board Chair Jen Ford announced a combined investment of over $7.7 million from the federal and provincial governments and the SLRD. Lillooet Lake Estates, a community in the SLRD, has been impacted by a number of major debris flow events on Catiline Creek. The Creek is undergoing updates through a detailed design process.
The federal government is investing $3,107,749 through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of British Columbia is investing $2,589,532, and the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District is contributing $2,072,091. Any cost overruns will be covered by the municipality.
Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure Investment in Nova Scotia
On March 11, Minister Sean Fraser, Minister John Lohr, and Warden Eddie Nickerson announced a combined investment of over $1.1 million to support the management and treatment of wastewater in Barrington by improving the plant’s overall performance. The project consists of installing: a stainless-steel dewatering centrifuge unit, monitoring and control equipment, a liquid polymer system, positive displacement sludge feed pumps, a sludge conveyor system, and a new dewatering building to house the centrifuge unit and associated polymer system.
The federal government is investing $454,800 through the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Nova Scotia is investing $379,000, and the Municipality of the District of Barrington is contributing $303,200.
Wastewater Infrastructure Investment across British Columbia
On March 22, federal Minister Harjit S. Sajjan and provincial Minister Anne Kang announced a combined investment of more than $98 million from the federal and provincial governments and local partners. The purpose of this funding is to ensure residents’ access to high-quality drinking water while also safeguarding and preserving infrastructure. Projects will include, the construction of new water treatment plants, upgrading existing wastewater treatment plants with filtration and ultraviolet disinfection systems, as well as the installation of new water supply lines and reservoirs.
The federal government is investing more than $41 million through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of British Columbia is investing $31,607,507, and local partners are contributing a combined $25.1 million and are responsible for any additional costs.
Wastewater Infrastructure Investment in Comox Valley
Minister Sean Fraser, Minister Bowinn Ma, and Comox Valley Regional District Sewage Commission Director Doug Hillian announced that the residents of Comox Valley and the surrounding area will benefit from sewer system upgrades to reduce the risks associated with rising sea levels and climate change, with a combined investment of over $13.3 million from the federal, provincial, and municipal governments.
The work will also include mechanical and electrical upgrades to two other pump stations currently subject to flood risks and the replacement and relocation of over 9 km of sewer force main, the pipeline that transfers wastewater from the pump station to the pollution control centre. Rerouting the current sewer force main further inland will help ensure it will withstand damage from shoreline erosion, water, rising sea levels, rocks, logs, storms, and earthquakes.
The federal government is investing $1,346,855 through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of British Columbia is investing $8,455,267, and the Comox Valley Regional District is contributing $3,565,016.
