Municipal Capital Works Program

A municipal capital works and infrastructure program of $50 million is forecast for the new fiscal year, funded by a $27 million provincial contribution, with the balance from the federal government and municipalities.

Of the province�s $27 million, $7 million will fund a new provincial-municipal variable cost sharing ratio. This will make it more affordable for smaller rural communities to undertake larger capital works projects than they could in the past. Community size, tax base and the ability to generate revenues will be considered in determining the municipal share. The provincial government will fund a higher share of project costs for these municipalities.

Safe Drinking Water Initiative

Ensuring safe drinking water for residents of the province is a high priority for this government. Mr. Speaker, today we are announcing an $11 million multi-year safe drinking water initiative. This budget allocates $2.6 million to address water sampling, staff training and infrastructure needs, including chlorination programs, for the provision of safe drinking water. Municipalities currently under a boil water advisory can receive 100 percent funding up to a maximum of $100,000 to install or upgrade water disinfection systems. We will be working closely with communities to improve municipal water supplies.

Roads and Transportation

Today we are announcing a highway and road construction program of $121.8 million for the new fiscal year. Mr. Speaker, this is the second largest program since Confederation, exceeded only by last year, and brings our total commitment over six years to $644 million.

This year�s allocation will see a 50 percent, or $6 million, increase in the paving and road reconstruction component of the provincial roads program. Construction will continue on roads in coastal communities in northern Labrador, as well as the Trans Labrador Highway in southern Labrador.

In early 2000, the people of Long Island made a strong plea for a causeway to replace their ferry services. At the time, the federal minister of ACOA pledged up to $8 million, or 80 percent, of the cost of the project. Today, I am pledging that the province will make available $2 million, or 20 percent of the cost, towards construction of the causeway as soon as federal funding is in place. Mr. Speaker, this government, and the people of Long Island, call on the federal government to fulfill the minister�s pledge to provide construction funding.

An additional $500,000 is provided for ferry modifications, as well as $2 million for upgrading the Bell Island ferry wharves.

Televising the House of Assembly

Mr. Speaker, acting on our commitment to bring about a more open and accountable government, $1.3 million is provided to permit the House of Assembly to be televised. We are aiming to have the technical work completed in time to begin telecasts for the fall 2001 sitting of the House.