Canada helps protect the Town of Aurora and York Region from flooding

Newswire.ca
May 21, 2019

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.

Marco Mendicino, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, today announced funding for a flood mitigation project in Aurora.

Project work includes the completion of two components that will improve the resiliency of the York Durham Sewage System in communities of Aurora, Newmarket and East Gwillimbury. The Aurora Sewage Pumping Station collects wastewater generated in these three municipalities. The first component will see the construction of an additional pumping station to the sewer shed to meet the demands of increased water flow during extreme weather events.

The second component will expand the capacity of the water storage tank to allow for the consistent treatment and flow of wastewater during storms and flooding, as well as the reduction of water service interruptions to homes and businesses.

Once complete, this project will increase the Aurora's ability to mitigate the effects of storm and flooding events by protecting the integrity of drinking water and sewer services for 200,000 residents. The project is expected to reduce local economic losses associated with severe weather events by 71%, and save long-term recovery and replacement costs.

The Government of Canada is investing over $8.2 million in this project through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, with York Region providing the remainder of funding.

Quotes

"Taking concrete steps to adapt to the impacts of climate change is essential to ensuring a safe prosperous future for our families, our communities and the environment. This project will help residents and businesses of Aurora and the York Region mitigate future flood damage, protecting their community during extreme weather events. By investing in infrastructure that protects communities now, we are ensuring that Canadians can thrive and prosper for generations to come."

Marco Mendicino, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honorable François-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

"Like many parts of the world, York Region is experiencing the impacts of a changing climate. The protection of our environment is essential to a thriving community. These important infrastructure investments by the Canadian government and York Regional Council reinforce our joint commitment to addressing the impacts of climate change while building safe, caring and resilient communities."

Wayne Emmerson, Chairman and CEO for the Regional Municipality of York

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.
• 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.