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Ottawa's flood mitigation funding will benefit Newmarket residents

Communities need help adapting to the frequent and intensifying weather events caused by climate change, the government said regarding $150 million in funding for four GTA projects

Newmarket, Aurora and East Gwillimbury residents will benefit from federal government funding totalling $150 million for four flooding and storm mitigation projects in Toronto and York Region, after a summer of heavy rainstorms that caused flooded basements and power outages.

Minister of Infrastructure and Communities François-Philippe Champagne announced today that more than 133,000 residents of Newmarket, Aurora and East Gwillimbury would benefit from $48 million in federal funding toward the $110.6-million York Durham Sewage System forcemain twinning project, which will twin the existing 35-year old main sewage conduit to minimize potential spills, particularly during storms.

"Taking real steps now to adapt to climate change reduces the devastating impacts of natural disasters on Ontario families and businesses," Champagne said in a news release. "This helps protect homes and businesses, maintain safe drinking water, and enable families and their children to prosper for generations to come."

Mayor John Taylor welcomed the announcement and expressed appreciation for the federal government support.

"This funding from the federal government recognizes the need for municipalities to advance critical infrastructure projects and recognizes that municipalities do not have the funding sources to address the infrastructure deficit without support from the other levels of government," Taylor told NewmarketToday.

York Region and Newmarket have been planning for a number of years to twin the forcemain that runs through town to provide a back-up sewer in the event that the current single forcemain is at capacity, or out of commission due to an emergency or for maintenance, he added.

"This twinning project will provide the necessary infrastructure to avoid negative environmental impacts that could occur with only a single forcemain."

York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson said in a news release that the infrastructure investments by the federal and and regional governments reinforce their commitment to addressing the effect of climate change.

"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," Emmerson added.

The City of Markham is to receive $48.6 million toward its $121.6-million flood control project, which will help protect vulnerable areas from flooding, including the Don Mills employment lands and West Thornhill community of about 18,000 residents, Champagne said.

Past floods have damaged properties, disrupted businesses, affected roads, and even impacted a retirement home in West Thornhill. 

More than 35,000 people in Vaughan will benefit from $16.6 million toward stormwater flood mitigation projects that will improve water quality and reduce the impact of flooding.

The City of Toronto will receive $37.2 million toward the $120-million midtown Toronto relief storm sewer project for flooding protection over an area of 75 hectares, impacting more than 2,400 residents.

The Government of Canada's Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund is a 10-year, $2-billion national program designed to help communities better withstand current and future risks of natural hazards.

"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," said Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety, in a news release.

Quick facts about the York Durham Sewage System force main twinning project:

Why: The installation of two new pressurized sewer force mains and modifications to the Newmarket and Bogart Creek sewage pumping stations will help increase system reliability during high-flow conditions and extreme wet weather events, as well as provide sewage spill protection for current and future residents.

Status: Approved. The Ontario government in March 2018 issued a declaration order to exempt the twinning component of the Upper York Sewage Solutions project from the requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act, based on urgent sewage needs in Newmarket and Aurora. The project is in the tendering process and construction is expected to begin this year.

The project will include a new 5.2-kilometre force main (sewer) from the existing Newmarket Pumping Station to the existing sewer that discharges to the Aurora Sewage Pumping Station, as well as a new 0.5-kilometre force main from the existing Bogart Creek Sewage Pumping Station to the new Newmarket force main.

Estimated cost: $110.6 million

Estimated completion: 2021


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Debora Kelly

About the Author: Debora Kelly

Debora Kelly is NewmarketToday's editor. She is an award-winning journalist and communications professional who is passionate about building strong communities through engagement, advocacy and partnership.
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