Canada NewsWire
KINGSCLEAR, WOLASTOQIYIK TERRITORY, NB, June 14, 2019
KINGSCLEAR, WOLASTOQIYIK TERRITORY, NB, June 14, 2019 /CNW/ - Canada is partnering with First Nations to build healthier communities by investing in on-reserve infrastructure to meet their growing needs.
Today, the Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Indigenous Services, met with Chief Gabriel Atwin and the council of Kingsclear and visited their community and the new pedway underpass built with Gas tax Funds.
A key safety priority for the community, the pedway opened in December 2018, allowing for safer pedestrian and bicycle passage across New Brunswick Highway Route 102. The pedway now safely connects the community, which was previously separated by the highway.
Minister O'Regan also announced close to $30 million for on-reserve infrastructure projects in First Nations communities across the country, made possible due to the federal Gas Tax Fund, which includes $1.6 million for the pedway underpass.
During his visit to Kingsclear, Minister O'Regan also had the opportunity to visit the community's upgraded wastewater treatment system. Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) provided more than $3 million for the wastewater treatment system upgrades, which were completed in July 2018.
Quotes
"Investing in infrastructure is about investing in people; in their health and in their well-being. This is how we build safe and prosperous communities. Today I announced $1.6 million for the construction costs of the Kingsclear pedway. Investments like this help meet the urgent infrastructure needs of First Nations communities and are part of a long-term strategy for First Nations community infrastructure."
The Honourable Seamus O'Regan, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous Services
"We are pleased with the announcement and federal funding for the pedestrian walkway, an essential piece of infrastructure in our community. For many years the safety of our community members has been compromised due to the dissection of our community by the [former TransCanada] highway. While more work is needed to address the safety concerns of all our community members, visitors and patrons to our community, this is a positive step towards ensuring our community members can safely travel by foot to access all areas of our community."
Chief Gabriel Atwin
Kingsclear First Nation
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SOURCE Indigenous Services Canada
View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2019/14/c3101.html