Premier Ford announces $34.9 M to upgrade a wastewater treatment plant in Sudbury

Ontario Premier Doug Ford was in Sudbury on Monday, where he announced a $34.9 million provincial investment to upgrade a wastewater treatment plant in the western end of the city.

"So this investment will help upgrade components of the Lively-Walden wastewater system, including lift station and water collection system improvements and the expansion of the Walden Wastewater Treatment Plant," Ford said.

The province suggests those upgrades will build capacity for the wastewater system to service another 3,300 homes that could be built in the area, which would help with the city's goals to grow its population and housing.

"This is an historic announcement for the City of Greater Sudbury," said Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre.

"This is the most funding we've ever received by the province when it comes to our infrastructure."

Lefebvre added that the new funding shows the province understands the city's needs for serving a growing population.

Nickel Belt NDP MPP France Gélinas, was also on hand for the announcement, and said the funding is long overdue.

She said rainfall in the area often causes sewage overflow into local waterways.

"Every time it rains, like you don't need very much, those [lakes] are overwhelmed."

Criticism of Sudbury's MPP

At the end of his announcement, Ford was critical of Sudbury's NDP MPP, Jamie West, although he never named him.

"We need a voice down at Queens Park for Sudbury because the guy you have down there is sitting in the corner playing cards," Ford said.

"We need a representative sitting at the table, jumping up and down about Sudbury."

Gélinas, who is a senior NDP member, said the comments were not appropriate for a funding announcement.

"If you want to do a campaign stop, then you're allowed to do this, but not on Ontario's dime and not on the province's time," she said.

"Do that on your own time. Do that on your own dime."

Gélinas also pointed out that the announcement was in her riding, Nickel Belt, and not in the Sudbury riding.

Four-laning Highway 69

During the announcement, Ford was asked about the province's plans to finish four-laning Highway 69 south of Sudbury.  All but 68 kilometres has been done.

"It's in the engineering stages right now and consultation with three First Nations communities because we have to acquire their land," Ford said.

He added he was "just in contact" with the three communities about moving the project forward.

Gélinas said right now, Highway 69 is dangerous in the winter and the four-laning needs to be completed to make it safer.

To date, the province has not tendered any contracts to finish the work.