PETROLIA, Ontario, October 14, 2009 — The Government of Canada announced today that the Town of Petrolia has been approved for two infrastructure loans as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
The announcement was made by Patricia Davidson, Member of Parliament for Sarnia – Lambton, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
The Town of Petrolia has been approved for more than $1.2 million in low-cost loans from CMHC’s Municipal Infrastructure Lending Program (MILP), to replace existing services (storm, sanitary and water) and to reconstruct Queen, Nelson and West Streets, as well as to resurface and replace storm sewers for Garfield Street.
Our Government understands the importance of infrastructure in maintaining strong and prosperous communities,” said MP Davidson. “This program is opening the door for municipalities of all sizes to meet their housing-related infrastructure needs and create jobs. It’s good news not only for Petrolia, but also for Ontario.”
Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides up to $2 billion in direct low-cost loans to municipalities, over two years, for housing-related infrastructure projects through the MILP. Municipal infrastructure loans are available to any municipality in Canada and provide a new source of funds for municipalities to invest in housing-related infrastructure projects. These low cost loans can also be used by municipalities to fund their contribution for cost-shared federal infrastructure programming.
“These loans will ensure Petrolia's continued growth and allow us to update and rebuild several key areas of infrastructure that have long been of concern to this community," said Petrolia Mayor John McCharles.
Eligible projects include infrastructure related to housing services such as water, power generation and waste services, as well as local transportation infrastructure within and into residential areas, such as roads, sidewalks, lighting and green space.
More information on this and other measures in Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government’s plan to stimulate the economy and protect those hit hardest by the global recession, can be found at: www.actionplan.gc.ca.
To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit: www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan.
Media inquiries:
Michelle Bakos
Office of the Honourable Diane Finley
Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-2482
Stephen Derksen
Communications and Marketing Consultant
CMHC
416-218-3443
Charles Sauriol
CMHC, National Office, Media Relations
613-748-2799
Canada’s Economic Action Plan Delivers Housing-Related Infrastructure Loan for the Town of Petrolia