Welcoming water infrastructure
Representatives from all levels of government, including federal, provincial and municipal, along with representatives from Bertrand Plumbing and Heating, welcomed the joint announcement of funding for water infrastructure projects in Russell, the Nation and Casselman, at Bertrand’s shop in Embrun on Tues., July 4.      Courtesy photo

Candice Vetter
Villager Staff
EMBRUN – GPR MP Francis Drouin and GPR MPP Grant Crack, along with the mayors of Russell Township, Nation Municipality and the Village of Casselman, attended at Bertrand Plumbing and Heating in Embrun, on Tues., July 4, to announce federal/provincial /municipal funding for five water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

The federal government is providing up to 50 per cent of funding in the amount of $1,501,763. The provincial government is providing $750,882, and Casselman, The Nation and Russell will provide the balance of the funding.

The approved projects include watermain twinning and water and wastewater servicing of Russell’s Commercial Park, drinking water system upgrades for the Village of Casselman and a new water reservoir for the Village of Limoges.

This investment is part of an agreement between Canada and Ontario for the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund.

“As we grow, we are grateful for the continued support from the federal and provincial governments,” said Russell Mayor Pierre Leroux in a media release. “The majority of these funds will help create a back-up water main to the village of Embrun as well as service the current Embrun Commercial Park and provide opportunities for future development.”

“The Municipality of Casselman is growing,” said Casselman Mayor Conrad Lamadeleine. “With this financial support, our infrastructure projects for the improvement of our water and sewerage system will be realized. “

The federal government has stated it will provide more than $180-billion in infrastructure funding over 12 years for public transit, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, transportation that supports trade, and Canada’s rural and northern communities. Since 2004, the Government of Ontario has committed over $3.7-billion to municipalities across the province through the provincial gas tax program.