Beaver Staff
Tyendinaga’s water infrastructure will be getting a massive upgrade following a $44 million investment from Infrastructure Canada, The First Nation and Indigenous Services Canada (ISC).
Canada’s minister of Indigenous Services Seamus O’Regan was joined by Hastings-Lennox and Addington Liberal MP Mike Bossio on the Mohawk Territory Saturday to make the announcement. Improvements to the water and wastewater infrastructure will include adding nearly 23 km of water distribution pipes to reach the majority of the community’s 750 homes and businesses, while also connecting 146 homes directly to the community’s main water treatment system.
The project is a phased approach that will improve access to safe drinking water and contribute to lifting five long-term drinking water advisories that have been placed on the community. The added pipelines will also help mitigate protection against drought.
“Extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common in Canadian towns, cities and First Nations communities,” said Bossio. “It is time to take concrete steps to adapt to the impacts of climate change to ensure a safe, prosperous future for our families, our businesses and the environment. This project will mitigate impacts of future droughts in the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte Territory, protecting the community, and the essential services they rely on. By investing in infrastructure that protects communities now, we are ensuring that Canadians can thrive and prosper for generations to come.”
The project is expected to provide more than 2,500 residents access to safe drinking water while reducing the number of people affected by drought by over 80 per cent.
“It is so important for our government that we are a partner in addressing your priorities,” O’Regan said to the crowd gathered on Saturday. “This vital investment will bring us one step closer to eliminating all long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves across Canada by March 2021.”
Infrastructure Canada will be funding $30 million of the project with ISC putting $14.5 million toward the project, which is expected to be completed by summer 2020.
“The construction of these water mains will ensure that our members have a reliable supply of safe drinking water, a longstanding and important goal of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte,” said Mohawk of the Bay of Quinte chief Donald Maracle. “We very much appreciate the financial contributions of Infrastructure Canada and Indigenous Services Canada to enable the community to achieve this important goal.”