Investment in Environment and Tourism

An investment by the Department of Municipal Affairs will ensure the waters around Baddeck, Victoria Co., will soon be running clearer.

The Municipality of the County of Victoria will receive up to $62,000 in a cost-sharing agreement to upgrade the Village of Baddeck's sewage treatment system under the Provincial Capital Assistance Program. The upgrade includes replacing old pipes and installing new aeration equipment at the treatment plant. This new upgrade can be incorporated into future modifications to the treatment facilities.

Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism and Culture, made the announcement on behalf of Municipal Affairs Minister Angus MacIsaac, at the Court House in Baddeck this morning.

"Today's announcement is an investment in a cleaner environment, a stronger local economy and a vibrant tourism industry," said Mr. MacDonald. "We are honouring a government commitment to work with municipalities to fund essential infrastructure projects such as water and sewer services."

The improvements were recommended by ABL Engineering earlier this year. Both Municipal Affairs and the Department of the Environment have worked closely with the county and the village in the past to identify what changes had to be made to the aging treatment system.

"Baddeck is one of the finest tourism destinations in our province, and the nation, and I'm very happy that we could make this strategic investment. It can only help the people and the economy of the region," said Mr. MacDonald.

Under the cost-sharing agreement, the province will match dollar- for-dollar any money invested by the county up to March 31, 2001. Construction is expected to start soon and will last two or three months.