Canada Will Help Reduce the Impacts of Flooding for Sudbury Residents

SUDBURY, Ontario, March 27 -- Infrastructure Canada issued the following news release:

Now more than ever, communities need help adapting to the frequent and intensifying weather events caused by climate change. Reducing the impact of natural disasters such as flooding and wildfires is critical to keeping Canadian families safe, protecting local businesses and supporting a strong economy and the middle class.

The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, today announced funding for the Junction Creek flood mitigation control and improvements project in Sudbury.

This project will see the life span of the Maley Dam extended to 100 years, important repairs to the Junction Creek culvert, the reconstruction and improvement of a segment of Junction Creek, and a new storm water management facility. They will ensure suitable drainage to protect the downtown Sudbury core, the Flour Mill neighbourhood and upstream areas.

Once complete, these projects will help protect over 18,000 residents in Greater Sudbury from flooding. In extreme weather, if flooding does occur, it will allow the community to recover faster by protecting the integrity of drinking water and sewer services.

The Government of Canada is contributing over $8.8 million to this project through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, with the Conservation Sudbury providing the remainder.

Quotes

"These projects will help residents and businesses of Downtown Sudbury and the Flour Mill neighbourhood mitigate future flood damage, protecting their community during extreme weather events. Investing in infrastructure increases the quality of life of residents - it's good for our economy, good for Canada and good for Ontario."

The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Extreme weather is becoming more severe, more frequent, more damaging and more expensive because of climate change. By investing in the infrastructure that protects our neighbourhoods, businesses, and families, we are building communities that can withstand future natural disasters and thrive for generations to come."

The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety

"In Greater Sudbury, far too many people have had to endure damage to their property as a result of extreme weather events. The Junction Creek flood mitigation project will keep our residents and businesses safe and spare them the rebuilding and recovery costs associated with these stressful and trying situations."

Paul Lefebvre, Member of Parliament for Sudbury and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources

"The Junction Creek project has been in the works for years. Residents and business owners alike, have seen first-hand the havoc flooding has wreaked in their lives. I am extremely proud that the Government of Canada and the City of Sudbury with this investment will bring relief and peace of mind to our constituents."

Marc Serre, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parlliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Rural Economic Development

"Investing in infrastructure and ensuring public safety are priorities of City Council and I want to thank the Federal Government, as well as MP Paul Lefebvre and MP Marc Serre, for their investment and support through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund in improving flood resiliency in Greater Sudbury. These funds will allow us to make important flood resiliency improvements along Junction Creek from New Sudbury into the Flour Mill and through to the downtown area and will provide comfort and security to area residents and business owners."

Mayor Brian Bigger, City of Greater Sudbury

"Maley Dam and the Box Culvert System are two of our community's important assets that help reduce the impacts of flooding in built-up areas along Junction Creek. Timely investment will ensure that this critical infrastructure will continue to do its part in safeguarding residents and businesses located in low-lying neighbourhoods found within the Flour Mill and the Downtown. The funding from Infrastructure Canada announced today by Minister Champagne, combined with our authority's reserves, allows needed rehabilitation work on these assets to get underway so that they can help keep us safe for years to come."

Lin Gibson, Board Chair of Conservation Sudbury

Quick facts

The Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) is a $2-billion, 10-year program to help communities build the infrastructure they need to better withstand natural hazards such as floods, wildfires, earthquakes and droughts.

DMAF is part of the federal government's Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, which is providing more than $180 billion over 12 years for public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and rural and northern communities.

Investing in green infrastructure that helps communities cope with the intensifying effects of climate change is an integral part of Canada's transition to a more resilient, low-carbon economy, which is among the commitments made under the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.

Budget 2019, Investing in the Middle Class, is the government's plan to create more good well-paying jobs, put homeownership within reach of more Canadians, help working people get the training they need to succeed, support seniors, and lay the foundation for national pharmacare.

Announcements in Budget 2019 build on the Government's Investing in Canada Plan, under which the Government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years to build infrastructure in communities across the country.

With many municipalities across Canada facing serious infrastructure deficits, Budget 2019 proposes a one-time transfer of $2.2 billion through the federal Gas Tax Fund to address short-term priorities in municipalities and First Nations communities.